Lois Lee Henson, 93, of Keokuk Iowa passed away at the home of her son Kevin in Lawton Oklahoma on May 3rd, 2026, following a short illness.

Lois was born May 28th, 1932, in Plymouth, Illinois. She was the fifth child and only daughter of Elsworth and Birdie Bell (Roberts) McDaniel. Following high school, she graduated from Gem City College in Quincy, Illinois, and took up her lifelong career as a secretary for many area businesses including Keokuk Steel Castings and The City of Keokuk.

She married the love of her life Floyd J. Henson (deceased) and had three children – LTC(R) Kent (Jill) Henson of Atlanta GA, LTC(R) Kevin (Debra) Henson of Lawton Oklahoma and Sherri L. (Joe) Samuels of Keokuk Iowa. Lois is survived by her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lois was known as River Mama to many more friends and acquaintances along the banks of the Mississippi river. Her many hobbies included motorcycle riding, bowling and boating.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers (Robert, Thomas, Paul and Richard), her stepdaughter Paula Joe Shaul, and her husband Floyd to whom she was married for 35 years.

In retirement, Lois and Floyd spent many happy years in St. Petersburg, Florida, and had many friends there as well. She returned to Keokuk, following Floyd's death in 1998 and moved again to Lawton Oklahoma in 2021.

Lois was a friend to all and loved to tell jokes, laugh, and be the life of any party. Hugs and kisses was her favorite way of saying goodbye. In her passing we all say- hugs and kisses- to the beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and chief of our family clan.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, June 5, 2026, at DeJong-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk, with burial to follow at Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 am at the funeral home directly before the service. A celebration of life will be held at 1 pm on June 6, 2026, at the Southside Boat Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to KASPIR (Keokuk Animal Services Partners in Rescue).

DeJong-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.