Lois Mae Warner

Born in Ross, ND, March 29, 1927, died October 21, 2017 at Mercy San Juan Hospital, home of the kindest care providers imaginable. Lois died as she lived, not a victim but a participant, involved in the decisions affecting her. Although her suffering was brief, she made it clear that she was finished here and ready to go. She is now happily reunited with her beloved husband of 54 years, John Francis Warner.

Born to a coal miner and farmer in rural North Dakota at the beginning of the depression, Lois was the first of five children, all of whom preceded her in death. She was on her own at 17, and attended the Electronic Radio and Television Institute of Minneapolis in 1944, obtaining a Radio Telephone Operator Permit from the FCC. This led to a position at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH. She met John in nearby Fairborn in 1945, and they were married in 1946. They moved to Sacramento in 1952, and Lois transferred from Wright-Pat to McClellan. In 1954 they bought the house in Carmichael where they raised their children. In 1990 they moved to Citrus Heights.

Always a high achiever, Lois spent her life making a home for her family, working for the government, and volunteering where she felt she could contribute – mostly local schools. All her life, Lois was active in the Methodist churches to which she belonged. Her church family was always important to her.

Though typically private and somewhat reserved, Lois loved with unmatched intensity. Those of us left behind are better for it, and will miss her terribly. She is survived by son, David, and his wife Jennifer; by daughter, Lynn, and by grandchildren John, Katy, and Laura.

Lois made us promise that there would be no funeral “service,” as she hated to be fussed over. Manipulatively, there will be a small and informal potluck luncheon at the Citrus Heights United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 4, from 11-1. Bring something to share if you wish, but don’t feel obligated – the United Methodist Women are generously providing sandwiches and salads.