Lois Maxine Nish

October 19, 1922 – April 27, 2025

Lois Maxine Nish, a devoted wife, loving mother, and engaged community member, passed away peacefully at the age of 102, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and grace.

Born on October 19, 1922, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Harold and Bernice Ringgenberg, Lois began her remarkable journey that would span over a century of meaningful experiences. Her early years took her from Chicago to Long Beach and ultimately to San Bernardino, California, where she graduated from high school in 1940—the same year she met her lifelong love, Ray Nish.

Lois began nursing studies at San Bernardino Junior College, but life’s course shifted when her family relocated to Berkeley. Inspired by the events of World War II, Lois chose to support the war effort by working as a secretary for the U.S. Navy Department in Alameda. In June 1942, she married Ray Nish in Piedmont, California. The two shared a love that lasted 68 years.

When Ray joined the U.S. Air Corps, Lois followed him from base to base until he was deployed to the Pacific. During his absence, she moved with their first son, Steven, to Turlock, where she worked at Chemurgic Corporation. After Ray’s return, the couple settled in Berkeley and later in Modesto, where Ray began a long and distinguished career at the Modesto Bee, retiring as Managing Editor in 1985.

Together, they raised three children: Steven, Richard, and Kathleen.

Lois was deeply involved in her community. She worked for a time at Ringgenberg Home Furnishings in Turlock and later devoted herself to numerous civic organizations, including the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Townsend Opera Guild, Modesto Symphony Guild, and as a longtime board member and director of the McHenry Museum Historical Society.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ray, daughter Kathleen Jenner (Dennis), and son Steven (Kathy). Lois is survived by her son Richard (Koni); grandchildren Stephanie Pinell, Julia (Paul) Wignall, Deidre (Bentley) Cavazzi, and Kaden Jenner; and great-grandchildren Taylor and Kaitlin Pinell, and Waylon and Piper Wignall. She is also lovingly remembered by step-grandsons Aaron and Jakob Alcamo.

Lois lived a life grounded in love, faith, and community. She will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her.

A graveside service for Lois will be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lakewood Funeral Home and Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326.