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Lois's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, January 9, 2026. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

MADISON/WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - Lois Sixel, a long-time Madisonian whose love of family rivaled her love for ice cream, chocolate, and bridge, died on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Winter Garden, Fla. She was 98 years old. Lois grew up in Manitowoc, Wis., and moved to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and fell in love with a returning World War II veteran. Lois married Kenneth Sixel in 1948 and subsequently went to work as a federal research chemist trying to turn sugar cane into fuel. Her research was going well but she became a stay-at-home mom when the babies began to arrive. Once the youngest was in school, Lois went back to the federal government, this time joining the U.S. Census Bureau on household surveys and heading the once-a-decade population count for the Madison area in 1980 and again in 1990.

Ken died suddenly in 1990, a devastating blow to their retirement plans to travel and play more bridge. Lois was lucky to find love again when she reconnected with college friend, Paul Loduha of Madison. Together, Lois and Paul spent winters in Gulf Shores, Ala., and played bridge as often as they could. Lois lost Paul in 2017 and soon after moved to the Orlando area to be close to one of her daughters. She enjoyed her new home, especially the abundant flowers, trips to the coast and adventures at Disney World.

Lois loved life. She was optimistic and gracious and was always up for an Orange Custard Chocolate Chip ice cream from the UW Memorial Union. She was a voracious reader, and her candy habit was legendary. Lois traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America, never missing an opportunity to go somewhere new. Swimming and water aerobics were a daily habit.

Survivors include her three daughters, Lynn Sixel (Richard Campbell) of Houston, Texas; Carrie Hash (Gregory) of Orlando, Fla.; and Amy Pera (James Jr.) of Naperville, Ill.; grandchildren, Sarah, Charlotte and Benjamin Campbell; Sergey and Andrey Hash; and James III, Alexa and Lauren Pera.

Lois was predeceased by her parents, Jim and Marian Cabalek of Manitowoc, and sister, Jeanne Chambers of Plymouth, Wis.

Friends and family are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Lois Sixel

March 05, 1927 - December 16, 2025

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