Lois "Mush" J. Mussett

Lois “Mush” J. Mussett Lois J. Mussett, age 89, died Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at Laurel’s Edge, Mankato.

A Memorial Service Celebrating Lois' Life will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at the First Congregational UCC, Mankato. Visitation will be one hour before service. Family Interment will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo, IA. The family requests NO flowers. Memorials may be given to First Congregational UCC – Mankato, Minnesota State University – Mankato Physical Education Department, University of Northern Iowa Physical Education Department – Cedar Falls, IA or the donor’s choice. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. www.mankatomortuary.com

Lois J. Mussett was born in Waterloo, Iowa on November 30, 1932, to Glapha A. (Kern) and Robert C. Mussett. After graduation from East High School in 1951, she attended Iowa State Teacher College (now University of Northern Iowa), graduating with a Bachelors Degree in physical education in 1955.

Lois taught physical education, was advisor of Girls Recreation Assoc., Pep Club and synchronized swimming from 1955 to 1962 at Clinton High School, Clinton, Iowa. She obtained her Masters Degree from University of Northern Colorado in 1963 and then taught one year at Thomas Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The fall of 1964, she began teaching physical education at Mankato State College (now Minnesota State University – Mankato). Lois was an instructor, advisor of synchronized swimming, started and coached the women’s swim team, coached the women’s golf team, was assistant chairperson for 9 years and department chair for 7 years before retiring in 1993.

During the summers from 1948-1967, Lois “Mush” served as a junior counselor, counselor, and camp director at the Waterloo (IA) YMCA Camp Wahpaton, a counselor at Duluth (MN) Girl Scout Camp and Director at the Mankato (MN) Camp Fire Girls Camp.

Lois was involved in the Iowa High School Girls Recreation Association as Secretary-Treasurer for 1 year and Camp Director for 4 years; served Vice Chair on the MN Extramural Sports Association of College Women (AIAW) chair 1972-1975; was secretary of Central Assoc. of Physical Education for College Women 1973-1975 and served on the Division II AIAW National Golf Committee 1980-1982.

Lois served on the Board of Trustees (1974-1977), the Board of Deacons (1978-1981), and on the building committee (2000-2002) of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Mankato. She was a member of Zonta (a women’s service organization) (1977-1994) and served as its President in 1982-1984; served as secretary of the Mankato Women’s Bowling Assoc. 1977-1994, along with being participating member from 1965-2015.

In 1994 a group of women organized the North Links Ladies League at the North Links Golf Course. Lois chaired this group for a number of years. In 1996 she organized the Walker Rider Cup which she chaired for the public golf courses of North Links, Minneopa, and Terrace View. In 2019 the name of the tournament was changed to the Lois Mussett/Walker Rider Cup.

Recognition and awards include the Wild and White Award UNI in 1960; Sabego Award from Camp Fire Girls in 1994; Outstanding Educator in 1975; Zonta Women of the Year 1985; induction into the MSU-M Hall of Distinction 1991; Central District Assoc. of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation recognition in 1994; induction into the UNI Wall of Excellence 2008 and Mankato Bowling Assoc, Hall of Fame in 2009.

Lois is survived by her 5 nieces and nephews; 10 great nieces and nephews; and 15 great-great nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Glapha Mussett; sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Earl Van Fleet; brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Marlysrae Mussett; niece, Jeri Van Fleet; nephew, Douglas Van Fleet; great nephew, Josh Salisbury; one great-great niece and one great-great nephew.