SYLVIA A. LOY
SYLVIA A. LOY
APRIL 10, 1927 – DECEMBER 24, 2017
Sylvia Amy Loy, 90, of Benson, died Sunday, December 24, 2017, at the Glenwood Retirement Village in Glenwood, Minn.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, January 4, 2018, at Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. Visitation will continue from 12-1 p.m., followed by the funeral at 1 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2018, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Interment will be at a later date in the church cemetery. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com
Sylvia Amy Steen was born April 10, 1927 in Clinton, Minnesota, the daughter of Sem and Amy (Giere) Steen. She was baptized April 15, 1927, and confirmed June 1, 1941, at St. Pauli Lutheran Church in rural Clinton, MN. Sylvia grew up in Clinton, graduating from Clinton High School in 1945 and from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1949.
On August 5, 1950, Sylvia was united in marriage to Raymond H. Loy in Clinton. She and Ray were married for 46 years until his death in 1997. After stays in Chicago and St. Cloud, Sylvia and Ray moved to Benson in 1958 and became active members of the community. Sylvia served as the Director of the Swift County Developmental Achievement Center and on their Board of Directors for over 27 years before her retirement. Faith and service to others were important to Sylvia. She was an active member of Our Redeemers Lutheran Church and she volunteered many years with the Lions Club, Meals on Wheels, Scofield Place Board, and the Benson Public Library.
Sylvia passed peacefully on Christmas Eve, surrounded by family, to follow the light of Christmas and join her beloved Ray. A strong, compassionate and independent woman, Sylvia will be remembered for her dedication to family and friends, her selflessness, her faith and her delightful, dry wit. She possessed a generous spirit and was smart, cheerful, and determined. A loving, supportive mother, grandmother and loyal friend, Sylvia could also be fiercely protective and competitive. In addition to family and friends, she loved bridge, crossword puzzles, theatre, travel and adventure. She would regularly break free from her usual Norwegian reserve and reveal an impish streak, displaying her fun-loving, often silly side. Sylvia lived a long, rich life and leaves behind a legacy of service and loving kindness. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.
Sylvia is survived by her children: Diane (Rich) Wegner of Kasson, Deb Loy/Jim Colwell of Arden Hills, Steve (Faye) Loy of Willmar, and Doug (Sandy Olson-Loy) Loy of Starbuck; grandchildren: Amy (Paul) Beeman, Holly (Kenny) Grisim, Heidi (Adam) Webb, Caitlin (Lance) Waterstraat, and Eric Anfinson; great-grandchildren, Miles Beeman and Oliver Webb; sister, Ruth Hauck; sisters-in-law, Jean Velleu (Jim Law) of St. Paul and Kathryn Mack of Minnetonka; brother-in-law, Jerry (Marilyn) Loy of Indiana; and twenty-two nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; parents; sister, Dorothy; twin brother, Sevrin; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and nephews.
Sylvia appreciated the staff and enjoyed all the activities at the Glenwood Retirement Village and earlier at Parkview Manor. Her family would like to thank the staff and all those who supported her for their compassion, care, and thoughtfulness.
Please sign the guest book at: www.zniewskifuneralhome.com
