Juanita J. “Nita” Dice Lodahl, age 90, of Lexington passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2013 in the Emergency Department of Mansfield MedCentral Hospital following an extended illness.
Born January 7, 1923 in Xenia, the daughter of Clifford Dice and Mildred (Barr) Dice Hurley, Nita was graduated from Xenia Central High School, and attended Dayton Art Institute.
On June 10, 1944 Nita married Gale J. Lodahl. For the past seven years they resided in Lexington with their daughter and son-in-law Barbara and Steve Johnson.
A loving and devoted wife and mother, her pride and joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved the many family gatherings throughout the year and was the matriarch of a large close family.
Nita was a wonderful homemaker and cook. Her interests included reading, art, drawing, floral design, bird watching and writing poetry. In fact, two of her poems were published in The National Library of Poetry, receiving the Editor’s Choice Award in 1995 for her poem entitled: Between the Raindrops.
Nita formerly worked at Winters Bank and Ohio Bell in Dayton and as a floral designer in Westerville and Mansfield.
Nita’s strong faith in the Lord was instilled in her children and grandchildren, and remained unwavering through life’s difficult times.
Along with her husband of 69 years, Gale Lodahl, she is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law Ellen (Butch) Cooley of Mansfield, Patricia (Bill) Schmidt and Barbara (Steve) Johnson all of Lexington; one son John Lodahl of Mt. Vernon; 10 grandchildren Beth (Mike) Riegel, Jill (Todd) Vanausdle, Jeff (Andrea) Schenian, Brian (Krista) Schmidt, Terri (Darren) Hamilton, Wendy Kleinknecht, Andrew Caudill, Angela, Crystal, and Julie Lodahl; 16 great grandchildren; very close nephew James Dice of Dayton; step-sister Babara (Don) Kinsler, step brother Richard (Joy) Hurley.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by an infant son Thomas Lodahl and brothers Elwood (Virginia) Dice, Lee (Irene) Dice and Phillip Dice.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 9, 2013 from 12-2pm in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where funeral services will begin at 2 pm. Pastor Jim Berry will officiate and burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park.
Online condolences to the family may be made by visiting:www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
