Condolence: For the 65 years of our marriage and raising eight children, there have been many ups and downs; many joys and sorrows, but the most devastating has been the loss of Lois. This has left a great void in our lives and a hole in our hearts that only she can fill.

I could go on and on about how much Lois meant to all of us, but will try to give a few examples of what Lois really was.

She was always a very "social" person. When she was in first grade and we attended a parent-teacher conference for her, the teacher said, "Lois is a great student, and a very social person". When she would get to school and go to find her seat, she would go down the aisle and perhaps say, "Hi, Deb, and how are you today?" or to another, "Hi Jim, did you do your homework?" or maybe, "Hi, MaryJane, what did you have for breakfast? and on and on until she finally arrived at her seat. That is just the way she was; everyone she met she considered a friend.

Of course she was an animal lover as all of our eight were raised with dogs and cats as part of the family. Her first pet that was really "hers" was a dog from the animal shelter named "Lisa". When Lois left for college, the dog was left at home, but when Lois came home, the dog knew the sound of her car and was barking and at the back door to greet her.

While in high school Lois took a course in auto mechanics and restored a "67 Chevy she had purchased and used it all the while she was in college. Another time when we went to Park Forest to visit her, she had just repaired a gas water heater in her house there. Those kind of talents she inherited from her dad.

There was no doubt that Lois was an avid reader; she just devoured books and that she got from me (her mom) as I always have been and still am a book-worm. The fact that she went into the insurance industry also probably came from me as I spent the last 20 years prior to my retirement as an insurance underwriter. She and I spent many phone calls discussing the books we were reading and what was going on in the insurance world. I will miss that.

As to Lois being a "caring" person, I just want to mention that when her grandpa died, she was only five, but spent weeks with grandma to keep her company. Also, her brother Dave had a paper route when we were living in Iowa, and when the temperature got down to around zero or below and the papers were especially heavy on a Sunday morning, Lois got up very early and shared the route with him.

I could go on and on, but these are just short examples of what Lois really was. She never met anyone who was not a friend. If she had something someone else needed, she willingly passed it on.

We know that our loss is heaven's gain. All of our lives are richer and the world is a better place because Lois spent this short time with us.

We can never FORGET you, Lois and we
will love you FOREVER.

Condolence: I am Lois’ youngest sibling.
Lois, because you were just a couple of years older than me I often looked up to you for guidance. Even when we were little I learned things like how to play well with others, be fair, and how to be a good friend by lots of games of hopscotch, dolls, hide and seek, and board games.

As we grew older (through your actions) you taught me other important things like empathy, kindness, unconditional love, how to be a giving person, help others even if it’s just a smile they might need, an ear to listen, or a good belly laugh.

There is a saying that goes something like….

There are things in life that we don’t want to happen, but we have to accept; things we don’t want to know, but have to learn, and people we can’t live without, but have to let go.

Though your body was badly damaged and you could not stay with us here on earth, I know your beautiful, amazing spirit is all around us. I love you and thank you for all those important things I learned simply by having the privilege of being your little sister.

Condolence: My heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in your cherished memories.

Condolence: Lois was (is) my younger sister. She is one of the sweetest, most kind and loving individuals anyone could be blessed to call daughter, sister or friend. She now has left her earthbound life to join the Lord Jesus in heaven. There is a very special angel looking down on all of us, with her infectious smiling face, always putting us first, and her needs / desires second. Beauty goes beyond the surface and Lois' beauty and compassion for everyone goes all the way to the core of her earthbound body and her heavenly soul.

May she now be pain free, smiling and laughing and resting peacefully in our Heavenly Fathers arms.

I love you Lois, and will always carry you with me and you will be at my side - in my heart, soul and the blood flowing through my veins.

I will wear a smile on my face. As you would want us to go forward in life with that same infectious smile, and same kind generosity toward others you always exhibited to the fullest extent possible.

Your devoted and loving brother, Dave

Condolence: Lois Bateson ruined me for other friends. Because if she was you're friend, you,d never need another! Fiercely loyal, up for anything and with such a dry wit, she could sneak a funny thought in and you'd never see it coming. I doubt I'll ever know another person so willing to help others, even to her own detriment. I met Lois in investment club and we realized that we were neighbors, poor girl! Only a block away, she became my "go to" pal in adventure. I have so many memories of that smiling face working on the art fair, goofing off at Kiwanis, garage saling, corralling the stray dog or cat, meeting between our houses to take a long walk, searching out the best local dining, or just knocking at the side door saying I need a friend. She was always up for it. One of my saddest days was watching her car drive away when she moved back to Iowa. Turned out to be nothing because we could chat away about our day like no distance was between us. I'm pretty sure that happened to prepare me for this, because when I see you again, my dear friend, I'll know that no stupid "death" is between us, we'll pick up right where we left off, laughing all about it.