Lotus Eileen Wohlers

Lotus Eileen Wohlers (Chapman), age 94, of Underwood, recently of Country House, Council Bluffs, waltzed through the pearly gates, surrounded by loving family, on July 22, 2020.

Lotus was born on a farm west of Persia, on February 17, 1926, to Mary (McKeighan) and Sheldon Chapman. She attended school and graduated from Persia High School, Class of 1943. She always wanted to be a teacher and began teaching in Sunny Hillside Country School immediately following high school. Over the next several years, she taught school in Persia, Tenant, Shelby, and Denison, while obtaining her two-year degree from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI). Later she earned her BA from Buena Vista College while teaching in Underwood.

On June 20, 1954, she was united in marriage to Robert Charles Wohlers of rural Missouri Valley. In addition to her love of family, she had six passions: the Flying W Ranch, teaching, cooking/baking, dancing, and beautifying her yard. Together, Bob and Lotus created the Flying W brand and developed the Flying W Ranch land and prime beef cattle. As a teacher, she challenged all of her students to do their best and be their best. She served as president of the Pottawattamie County Retired School Personnel Association for several years. Lotus was a fabulous cook and baker. She prepared countless lavish family dinners, meals for farm workers and friends. It appeared to be effortless for her. Everyone who knew her would look forward to eating her meals. She could bake 200 chocolate chip cookies before Bob got out of bed at the late hour of 7:00AM. Lotus would bake thousands of scrumptious Christmas cookies and they would all be devoured or given to friends, family, or service people by New Years.

Lotus met the love of her life on the dance floor and never lost her passion for good dance music. Bob and Lotus belonged to two dance clubs in western Iowa and never missed an opportunity to dance when wintering in southern Texas. They had a dance floor in their home and used it regularly, either alone or with guests. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy and a great source of entertainment.

From thaw to frost, Lotus could be seen working in her yard, mowing, trimming, planting, weeding, burning, or watering in her floppy hat and burnt cuff pants.

She was a whirlwind: strong willed, tough, passionate, outspoken, and loving. Loved and feared by all who knew her. She was a force.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary (McKeighan) and Sheldon Chapman; husband, Bob, of 65 years; brother-in-law, Rodney Wohlers; sister-in-law, Eleanor Kruse; nephew, Rick Chapman; and niece, Kathy (Chapman) Benes.

Lotus is survived by her children, Lana Wohlers and Lynn Wohlers; grandchildren, Keith (Lin Yee) Wohlers, Kody (Corrie) Wohlers; great grandchildren, Kaci, Mallory, and Dominic; brother, Lowell (Ruby) Chapman; brothers-in-law, Byron (Karon) Wohlers, Jim (Pat) Kruse. Lotus was loved and admired by many, including nieces, nephews, other family, church family, their Country House family, especially her angel, Mallori and friends.

Visitation will be 2:00-4:00 PM, Sunday, July 26, 2020 at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be Monday, July 27, 2020 at 3:00 PM also at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at Grange Cemetery. Family will direct memorials or suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Neola, IA.