McGraw, Lois Ann

Dodgeville – Lois Ann McGraw, age 98, of Dodgeville, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Upland Hills Nursing & Rehab Center. She was born in Mineral Point on May 27, 1926, daughter of Alvis & Gertrude (Schmit) Schaaf. Lois married Paul McGraw, her high school sweetheart, on January 5, 1949 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mineral Point.

After high school, Lois attended DePaul University in Chicago, earning a degree in Secretarial Science. Upon graduation, she worked for the Wrigley Company, with a primary responsibility of keeping statistics for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She traveled with the Chicago team to Cuba and other Midwest cities.

Lois was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where all 10 of her surviving children attended elementary school. She enjoyed volunteering for many things including distributing Communion to residents at local nursing homes, driving the elderly to appointments and working at blood drives… to name a few. She enjoyed attending activities of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well known for her baking, especially cinnamon rolls, scones & scotcharoos. She welcomed all to enjoy meals with the family. Faith & family were her life.

Lois is survived by Jim Nagle (husband of Dee-Dee) of Onalaska, children Mary (Ray) Cooper of Fox River Grove, IL, Jerry McGraw of Dodgeville, Elly (Tim) Chybowski of Madison, Stan (Robin) McGraw of Mineral Point, Denny (Sue) McGraw of Dodgeville, Dave (Maureen) McGraw of Fitchburg, Teresa (Marty) Schmidt of Madison, Paul (Heidi) McGraw of Delavan & Dan (Jill) McGraw of Dodgeville. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren: Eric Nagle, Mark (Anna) Nagle; Raymond (Erin) Cooper, Kevin (Sarah) Cooper, Ann (Scott) Stone; Erin (Jeremy) May, Megan McGraw, Molly (Doug) Banfield; Emily (Mike) Stockbridge, Joe (Amy) Chybowski; Jason (Jodi) McGraw, Bret (Brooke) McGraw; Matt (Nikki) McGraw, Pete (Becky) McGraw, Katie (Brooks) Rademacher; Ryan McGraw, Drew McGraw; Andy Schmidt, Allie (Steve) Slocum; Logan (Tori) Schmidt; Kelly (Matt) Ranallo, Maggie (Alex) Wales; & Cassie McGraw (Adam); along with 30 great grandchildren. Lois maintained a close relationship with her many nieces and nephews.

Since becoming ill in early March, Lois enjoyed many visits with family and friends near and far. She turned 98 and was able to attend a McGraw family reunion recently as beloved matriarch of the family. Lois was preceded in death by the love of her life, Paul, her infant son Stephen, her daughter Dee-Dee, her daughter-in-law Vicki, grandson Justin, and great granddaughter Berkley. She was the sole surviving sibling of her family and of Paul’s.

The family would like to thank the priests of St. Joseph’s Church, Fr. Tafadzwa Kushamba and Fr. Alex Carmel; Rachel Keith, MD for her tender-loving quality care for many years; & the indescribable care from Upland Hills Hospice staff and the staff at UHH NRC. Your attentive, loving care and kindness to our sweet Mom & our family will never be forgotten. Thank you!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024 at ST. JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Dodgeville. Burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in Dodgeville and from 10:00 a.m. until 10:50 a.m. on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated in Lois’s name to St. Joseph’s parish or school, Upland Hills Hospice, Upland Hills Nursing & Rehab Center or the charity of your choice.

Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers 

Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com