Lois Vinnie (Nienkerk) Engen was born on February 20, 1931 to Henry and Emma (Ressmeyer) Nienkerk in Slayton, Minnesota. She was raised on a farm located near Woodstock, Minnesota. She graduated from Pipestone High School in Pipestone, Minnesota in 1949. She then attended the Normal Teacher Training Program in Lamberton, Minnesota. During this time Lois met Clair Engen at the local Sweet Shop and the couple began dating. Lois finished her schooling and taught for the next year in Pipestone County. On March 21, 1951 the couple were united in marriage in Woodstock, Minnesota. The couple then made their home and farmed in the Jeffers, Minnesota area. In 1956, they moved to the Nienkerk family homestead southeast of Adrian, Minnesota. The couple continued to farm here while raising their four children. Lois enjoyed helping Clair on the farm, cooking and entertaining for friends and family. In June 2012, Lois and Clair moved to Poplar Creek assisted living facility in Luverne, Minnesota. They returned to Adrian in January 2013 and resided at the Adrian Care Center. On Saturday, July 6, 2013 Lois passed away peacefully at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 82 years, four months and 16 days.

Lois was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian, where she belonged to the Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Red Hat Society. Through the years, she was very involved with the A.R.C. special needs program. She was an avid reader and enjoyed antiquing, shopping and traveling. Most of all, Lois loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Lois is lovingly remembered by her husband, Clair of Adrian; two daughters, Connie (Gary) Hoffer of Adrian, and Nancy Rowe of Bonney Lake, Washington; five grandchildren, Tom (Andrea) Hoffer, Ann Hoffer (fiancé, Brian Jindra), David (Kim) Hoffer, Shelby Rowe and Ciara Rowe; and a brother, Robert (Marilyn) Nienkerk of Richfield, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her two children, Kevin and Susan Engen; parents; and infant twin sisters.