Obituaries

Lois Slusarek

Photo of Lois Slusarek
Lois Ann Slusarek, age 87, of Fayetteville, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021, in Springdale. She was born September 19, 1933, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to Harry and Florence (Maciejewski) Schlottman. Lois has been a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville for 51 years. Lois had a life-long love of learning and was recognized for her many achievements both as a student and teacher. She earned full scholarships for her undergraduate degree at Wisconsin State College of Stevens Point (now U of W, Stevens Point), Summer School at University of Vienna, and Masters Degree in Science from Arizona State University (specializing in poisonous animals). As a retired senior, she audited much of the science curriculum at the University of Arkansas, focusing especially on botany. She was a lifelong educator teaching high school biology in Brookfield Wisconsin, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Springdale Arkansas. In 1977 Lois was named "Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year" for the state of Arkansas. Co-founding a fitness center in 1979 she went on to teach water aerobics there for over 30 years. Sharing her passion for nature and teaching she volunteered with the Master Gardners to educate local public-school students on various aspects of the natural environment. She loved being outside and spent her youth hunting and fishing (including ice fishing) with her father and uncles. They described her marksmanship as "never wasting a shot" and she used this ability in both Junior NRA and archery contests. She had a life-long love of plants and gardening. She eventually became a Master Gardener and volunteered for many years at the Headquarters House and the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks, in Fayetteville. She was a past President of the Washington County Master Gardeners and was recognized as Master Gardner of the Year 2013. She played violin growing up and learned piano in her 70's. She was a longtime member of her church choir and also sang in local productions of Handel's Messiah and Carmina Burana. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Bob Slusarek; her three sons, Lee Slusarek and Terri Weir of Fayetteville, Jeff Slusarek of San Diego, California, Matt Slusarek and his wife Morgan of Austin, Texas; one sister, Joyce Patten of Tucson, Arizona; three grandchildren, Paige Slusarek, Walker Slusarek and Lody Slusarek. Rosary will be 11:00 am., Saturday, January 16, 2021, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville, with a memorial Mass to follow at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to: Washington County Master Gardeners, UA Cooperative Extension Service, 2536 N McConnell Drive, Fayetteville, Ark., 72704, 479-444-1755. To place an online tribute, please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com

Published January 15, 2021

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