Lois Elizabeth (Dickinson) Cann

Lois Elizabeth Dickinson Cann died on July 23rd, 2025 at the age of 98, at Colleen’s Caring Hands in Bemidji Minnesota where she was lovingly cared for the last few years of her life.  She was born in Bemidji, Minnesota to Leonard R. Dickinson and Agnes J. (Jacobson) Dickinson on March 9, 1927.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 4, 2025 at First Lutheran Church, Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

She attended the Buena Vista one room school for one year and thereafter Bemidji Public Schools graduating in 1945.  She attended Bemidji State Teachers College for two years before transferring to the University of Minnesota where she received her Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in education.  In the fall of that year, she began her teaching career when she was hired by the Minneapolis School Board to teach 3rd grade at Miles Standish School.  While at the university she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority Phi-Beta chapter.

In 1953 she accepted a position as a remedial reading consultant for the school district of Merced, California.  Thereafter in the fall of 1958, she returned to the University of Minnesota to begin post-graduate work.  During this time, she also held a position teaching in the University Laboratory School and conducted demonstrations in teaching methods for university students.  She was a long-time member of AAUW.

She and her husband, Doug Cann, were married in August 1965 and made their home on Lake Julia.  Lois continued her teaching career teaching 2nd and 3rd grade at Northern School.

Lois had many interests and activities.  She was a long-time member of Delta, Kappa, Gamma, all professional teachers’ association.  She was a member of the First Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir for many years, charter member and past president of the Bemidji Chapter of Sweet Adelines.  She was also a member of the award-winning quartette, the Two Chimes Two with which she had the privilege of touring Norway and Sweden.  Throughout her life, Lois had a special place in her life for all animals, especially family pets as well as the horses, deer and cattle in the pasture.

Lois loved to play bridge twice a month with her bridge club.  She was an avid piano player and played each and every day throughout her life.  She was a long-time member, past president, and pianist of Chapter AT, P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Lois enjoyed many sports throughout her life, including golf, waterskiing, snow skiing, gardening, and especially tennis, which she played well in to her 80’s.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Matthew and Staci Cann of Bemidji, grandson, Levi (Abby) Cann, of Elk River, Minnesota, and granddaughter, Morgan Cann, of Bemidji.  Sister, Muffy Dickinson of Bemidji.  Sister-in-Law Donna Dickinson of Bemidji, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Doug Cann, her parents, brothers, Richard Dickinson and Earl Dickinson, sisters-in-law Eva Mae Regnier, Mariann Dickinson and Virginia Cann and brothers-in-law John (Bud) Regnier and Donald Cann.

Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church of Bemidji, Shriners Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice.

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