Louis G. Lomheim
Louis George Lomheim passed away on February 26th, 2025; in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, at the age of 93. He was born on November 23, 1931 to Albert and Hazel Lomheim in Sully County, SD; near the town of Onida. His siblings included sister Doris (Clark), brothers Jim and Albert, and sister Joan (Gleddie). In 1952 he married Ardis Mavis (Anderson) of Montrose, SD; and they were together for the next 72 years until separated by her death in October 2024.
Lou became a follower of Jesus Christ as a teenager, and for the rest of his life he sought to actively increase the Kingdom of God by supporting foreign missionary efforts, as well as local Christian ministries. He and Ardis shared a common love of singing American “Gospel” music together, and also in a “trio”. In either capacity they enjoyed singing “Bill Gaither” and similar Christian music at local churches, retirement centers, and as special music at conferences.
Lou hoped to become a missionary pilot after graduating from college in 1956, but his college “deferment” expired and service in the U.S. Army was looming. As an experienced pilot with FAA instrument, commercial, and instructor certificates, he knew his skills would best translate to serving his country as a military pilot, so he signed up with the U.S. Navy and became a Naval Aviator in 1956. Throughout his 20 year career he flew more than a dozen different aircraft, and the Lord was gracious and helped him survive at least ten emergency events/accidents. He also served aboard both U.S. and British aircraft carriers, and qualified as a “Centurion”, by making 100+ perfect landings on the old fashion, “straight deck” carriers!
After a 20 year flying career he moved the family to Denver, Colorado in 1976, and tried many non-flying occupations to include selling real estate and insurance, landscaping, home building / remodeling, manufacturing furniture, and installing office furniture. In 2008 he and Ardis moved briefly to Oklahoma, but soon felt called to return to their roots in South Dakota, and thereafter enjoyed the next ten years at the Trail Ridge retirement center with relatives and newly made friends. In 2020 they moved to Florida to be closer to their oldest daughter Denise (Boyer), who over the next four years provided consistent and outstanding support as their health began to wane.
Lou took his marriage commitment to Ardis very seriously, and therefore desired to join her in her memory care facility. An apartment with two connecting bedrooms became available and he moved and was with her for over a year until she died. Having fulfilled his word to watch over Ardis to the best of his ability (in both “sickness and health”), his will to live quickly diminished over the past four months, and his life on this earth ended peacefully while asleep. Besides his daughter Denise (Boyer), Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., he is also survived by his son Douglas (OK City, OK), and daughter Jeannine (Floyd), Murfreesboro, TN. He was further blessed with 10 grand-children, and two great-grandchildren; and he was preceded in death by his daughter Janelle (Centennial, CO), in 2022.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Heritage Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, SD on March 15th, with a visitation at 10:30, service at 11:30, followed by burial at the Hills of Rest Cemetery