Nola Lockwood

Nola Lockwood, age 94, of Ortonville, MN, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025.

A celebration of Nola’s life will be held on May 16, 2026. Please return as times of service and venue will be announced at a later date.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Nola Corrine (Rothi) Lockwood was born on November 12, 1931, in Big Stone County, MN. She was the beloved middle child of Laurence and Agnes (Lundberg) Rothi and grew up alongside her siblings: Bob, Ann, John, and Jerry.

A bright and determined student, Nola attended a one-room rural school in District 14 for her early education and later graduated from Ortonville High School in 1949. She went on to study at Medical Technician School in Minneapolis while working to support herself.

On December 6, 1952, she married the love of her life, Frederick Leigh Lockwood. Together, they built a beautiful family, raising five children: Gregory, Dean, Bradley, Janice, and Gary. Their home was filled with love, faith, and creativity. Nola’s devotion to her family was her life’s greatest joy. She was later blessed with 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, who brought her endless happiness.

Nola’s talents shone through in many areas. She was gifted with her hands and loved crafts, sewing, quilting, and especially wheat weaving, which became a favorite passion later in life. She enjoyed attending wheat weaving conventions and cherished the friendships she made across the country. She also embraced new technology, finding joy in learning the computer and tracing her family roots in Norway.

Family life was enriched by summers at their cabin on Cedar Lake near Annandale, MN, where countless happy memories were made with friends and loved ones. Fred and Nola also hosted many “Gramps Camp” at their home on Big Stone Lake with their grandchildren.

Faith was also central to Nola’s life, and she found purpose and fulfillment working with the Women’s Group in the Minnesota Church Synod and “Day of Love” at First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville. After Fred’s retirement in 1987, the couple enjoyed traveling, and in 1988, they settled in Ortonville, MN, where they made their home together. Nola will be remembered for her warmth, creativity, faith, and the deep love she had for her family. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Nola is survived by her children: Greg (Sue) Lockwood, Dean (Robin) Lockwood, Bradley (Jodi) Lockwood, Janice (Steve) Riggs, and Gary (Colleen) Lockwood; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; her brother, Jerry (Marie) Rothi; brother-in-law, James Lockwood; extended family; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; parents, Laurence and Agnes, brothers: Robert Rothi, and John Rothi; and sister, Ann Helgeson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to First English Lutheran Church Day of Love.

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