Lois H. Kuhlman

Lois H. Kuhlman passed away on March 16 at the age of 86 of natural causes.  Lois was born on February 12, 1931 in Norwood Park as the middle child of Marge and Fred Schultz.  She grew up in Chicago but she spent most of her adult life in Des Plaines.  She is predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Marvin, who passed in 1999; her brother Fred and her sister Sandra.

Lois is survived by her four daughters, Kass (Cary), Laura (Gary), Lee (Kevin), and Lynn (Boni); eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.  The branches of the family tree on which Lois sat atop are filled with cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends of all ages, too numerous to list here.  She was loved.

Lois developed a love of music as a young girl as she embarked on her journey to becoming an accomplished musician and professional piano player.  Among her many musical endeavors, her extraordinary talent led her to a position with the Lyon Healy Company in Chicago, as an accompanist for some of the music industry’s greatest performers when their tours visited Chicago.  

After having achieved a high level of personal musical success, Lois focused her talents for more than fifty years on teaching youngsters; not just instructing them on how to play the piano, but inspiring them to make music an integral part of their lifestyles.  Old school in her teaching techniques, she expected much of her students, urging every individual to realize their ultimate potential, discovering talent they may never have known they possessed, while never asking more of them than she knew they could handle.  Their dedication to and affection for her, long after they moved on as her students is testament to the enduring impact she had on their lives.  Chances are she is already assigning the sheet music to a lucky group assembled in a music room in heaven as she prepares them for the most glorious piano recital ever.

Blessed with a large family around her throughout her life, Lois always enjoyed good health and led an active life.  An energetic person with a penchant for keeping herself busy, she was never one to let time pass idly.   She enjoyed playing poker and going on outings with her girls’ club; golfing; keeping an immaculate house; and cooking “grandma dinners” for her daughters and grandchildren, to be shared after they finished their regular piano lessons.  When she did allow herself to sit down long enough to watch some television; Dancing with the Stars and Family Feud became two of her favorite guilty pleasures.  

Lois lived her life according to the same self-discipline that she diligently tried to ingrain in her piano students.  Structure, routine, and balance defined Lois’ lifestyle, as evidenced by her meticulous appearance.  She was always conscious of every aspect, from her impeccably cleaned and pressed clothing to her perfectly quaffed hair.  

In striking contradiction, Lois was just as comfortable in blue jeans and a flannel shirt cleaning Marvin’s catch of the day in a shed behind a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin.  Along with their common affinity for music, both Lois and Marv shared a love of the north woods, instilled in them as children; which they in turn passed along to their daughters and subsequently their grandchildren.  Her family will always remember her special pancake breakfasts in the woods; the occasional silly Grandma that would come out during the late-night poker games around the dinette table; heading out for a fish fry at Little Bohemia; and just chatting about nothing on the pier as the sun set over Alder Lake.     

For those who would like to express condolences, family and friends will be gathering to celebrate Lois’ life on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Ahlgrim Family Funeral Services, 415 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich; visitation at 3:00 PM followed by a memorial service at 6:00 PM.  Lois’ ashes will be brought to her final resting place to join Marv in their favorite lake in a private memorial with family.
“Life is like a piano. The white keys represent happiness; the black keys show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys make music too…” –Author Unknown