Lois J Clarey

Lois graduated from technical high school in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended her freshman year at the University of Omaha. In 1938, Lois met her future husband, Donald Clarey. He was a bellhop working at the same downtown Omaha hotel where her mother ran a cigar and candy stand. Lois and Don eloped in 1939 and moved to Houston, Texas to get away from the cold weather.

During World War II, Don served in the Pacific Theatre on the light aircraft carrier Belleau Wood. Lois, along with her three children at the time, lived with his parents in Council Bluffs, Iowa while Don was away. Lois and Don moved to Wichita in 1950 and Lois worked as an administrative assistant for the June Frisby Academy of Music, which came in handy since three of her sons were taking music lessons there. She also worked for Levi Rymph, former mayor of Wichita, when she was a claims processor at Wheeler Kelly Hagny Insurance. After Don and Lois retired, they moved to the west coast of Florida to enjoy the warm weather. They moved back to Wichita in 1999 to escape the hurricanes and be closer to family.

Lois was an avid reader and kept up on current events by reading the newspaper and watching the evening newscasts. She was a gregarious person who never met a stranger and loved to write letters to all of the old and new friends she met through the years. Lois was active in the Christ Community United Methodist Church in Wichita where she made many wonderful friends.

Lois is preceded in death by Don, her loving husband of 62 years and her younger brother, Alan Jacques and his wife Beverly of Neenah, Wisconsin. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia of Wichita, sons Michael (Gail) of Middletown, Ohio, Richard of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, David (Jeannie) of Wichita and Donald of Eureka Springs Arkansas as well as 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID, there will be no official services at this time. A memorial service is planned for August 15, 2021 at Sheridan Village, 1051 S. Bluffview in Wichita to commemorate the occasion of her 103rd birthday.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in memory of Lois to The Salvation Army, 350 N Market St, Wichita, Kansas 67202.