Lois Ann Boese, nee Miller, 81, of Rockford, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Independence Village. Lois was born on January 13, 1944, in Kewanee, IL, the daughter of Mary Ann, nee Hood and William Wayne Miller.

Lois had a long career in Harvard, IL, as a real estate agent working her way up to broker and founding her own company, Action Realty. As an independent businesswoman, Lois was invited to become a member of the Harvard Chamber of Commerce and honored to serve as its president in 1989. In addition to being a successful businesswoman, Lois was also a pipe organist for over 50 years at the Harvard United Methodist Church, where she was able to share her love of music in support of her faith. She was a spiritual person worshiping with both Methodist and Presbyterian congregations.

She loved nature, gardening, and bird watching. Her most public expression of this love was later in life, when she moved back to the country on a small farm that she built so that she could spend time with her horses. She was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association and won numerous trophies and prizes competing in the sport.

Lois is survived by her sons, Kent Charles and Timothy Alan “Tim” Boese; her sisters, Helen Elizabeth “Beth” Sommers, Marjorie Carol “Carol” Gerrond, and Mary Jane Stabler; her brother, Robert Lyman “Bob” Miller; and their families. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Hannah and Laura.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents; and three siblings, Laura Eileen “Eileen” Gunning, John Warren Miller, and Ronald Wayne “Ron” Miller.

Her memorial will be held Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:00 am at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103. Her burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, Neponset, IL, later this spring.