Lois L. Winters

Lois has been my Mother-in-Law since 1972. She always kept her home spotless and made the best gravy ever! Over the years I have gathered foolproof recipes for her Prime Rib and carrot cake, learned the value of not charging anything you can't pay for when the bill comes and sadly to say the spotless house still eludes me. Lois was a loving grandmother and spent so much quality time with her grandkids. They have so many memories.

Lois was born on February 12, 1927 in Davenport, lowa, the daughter of Lloyd and Margaret (Spaeth) Nelson. In 1946 she married Reed E. Winters and worked as a secretary at the local Chevrolet Dealership until Reeds Government job took them to Santa Monica, California in 1951. This is where Eric was born. This was the first of many moves for the young family. Kurt was born in Davenport in 1953. They lived in Cincinnati and Virginia before settling down in Seattle in I962.

Lois and Reed bought their first house and Lois set forth making it the perfect home for them. She loved pretty things, yellow daisies and taking care of her family. In 1973 because she was so good with finances they were able to purchase a second home on the water on Camano Island. It’s here they spent the weekends and enjoyed taking their grandkids.

Lois spoke often of her family and her desire to be with them again one day. She has shared so many stories with us, like sharing beds with her sisters and “Mike” the wonderful dog! She spoke of her hard working father and her saintly mother. She also loved the Lord.

Unfortunately Reed and Lois lived every parent's nightmare and lost their youngest son, Kurt, in 2005. Then in 2007, Reed passed, and in 2014 her son, Eric died. Lois had lived with Eric and me since 2008. Several months after Eric's passing, I had to move Lois to a wonderful home where they cared for her until her very peaceful passing on May 16th, 2015.

Survivors include Daughter-in-law, Stephanie (Eric) Winters of Bothell, Washington; Grandson, Garrett (Rachel) Winters (Eric) of Lake Forest Park, Washington; Grandson, Ian Winters (Eric) of Bellingham, Washington; Grandson, Steven (Kurt) Winters of Wichita, Kansas; 2 Great Grandchildren (Ian); Sisters Gladys Hattam of Bennington Nebraska; Kathy Wade of Columbia, Missouri; and Brother, Dennis (Sandy) Nelson of Enumclaw, Washington.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents and Sisters, Beverly Kiesel, Elaine Hearn, and Jean Behrens; Brothers, Dale and Lloyd Jr.; Husband, Reed; and both of her Sons, Eric and Kurt.

A Private Family Graveside Service were held July 27, 2015 at 2pm at Acacia Memorial Park in Seattle, Washington

Lois’s memory will live on in the many hearts she graced.

~ By Stephanie Winters