Lois Suomi Young

Born in Chicago, at age 5 she moved with her family to Madison, WI, where she developed a passion for numbers during her childhood years, She then attended Carleton College, where she graduated with a major in mathematics after only 3 years. She then returned to Madison, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Math Education at UW-Madison. In 1966 she joined the US Peace Corps and spent her next 2 years stationed in The Philippines, teaching mathematics in a government high school where she met her future husband Charles. They moved first to San Diego and then back to Madison where she taught high school math while he completed his graduate education. They then moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where Charles joined the Physics faculty at New Mexico State University and she taught high school and college math. In 1980 they relocated to Houghton, where they both joined the faculty at Michigan Technological University, and continued teaching until their respective retirements in 2006. During this time they raised two daughters, Emily and Elaine and Lois became increasingly involved with a number of local civic organizations.

But in addition to her teaching, parenting, and community-based activities, Lois also developed a parallel career — that of an accomplished knitting fashion designer. She became a serious knitter during her college years, quickly mastering a wide range of complex knitting techniques such that she could reproduce virtually any design that caught her eye. She soon discovered that she could improve many of those designs by incorporating some of her knowledge of mathematical principles into her designs and shortly thereafter she began creating her own original designs based on those same principles. Over the years she

attended knitting seminars and produced a sizable portfolio of original designs, some of which were published in internationally recognized fashion magazines, in the process becoming a respected member of the national knitting community.

In addition to her passion for numbers and design. Lois maintained a wide range of other interests and activities. She was a seasoned international traveler throughout her lifetime, eventually visiting all 7 continents, some several times, and in the process cultivated a deep love and appreciation for nature and culture writ large. Over the years she also developed a keen interest in politics, and she maintained passionate support for her chosen sports teams through thick and thin.

Being naturally gregarious and outgoing, Lois especially enjoyed working with others in social settings. She was genuinely positive in her basic attitude toward life in general and forward-looking in her perspective on the many challenges and opportunities she experienced throughout her remarkable life.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, her two daughters (Emily and Elaine), and two younger brothers (Stephen and Eric Suomi).

A Celebration of Life service for Lois Young will be held Saturday March 14, 1 PM at Portage Lake United Church. (extra parking is available across College Avenue at the MTU parking lots)