Lois Ardelle Tidgwell

Lois is survived by her son, David Tidgwell (Santa Cruz, CA) and her daughter, Deborah Cain (Walnut, CA). Lois was preceded in death by parents Norman and Eunice Wingert, husband Bob Tidgwell, and younger brother Norman Wingert Jr.

Lois was born in Thomas, Oklahoma on Oct. 6, 1929. Much of her childhood was spent climbing trees and swimming in creeks on the campus of Messiah College in Grantham, PA, where her father was a professor. She loved to reminisce about her experiences at the one-room school house which she attended for grades 1-8. In her teen years, her family moved to Kansas, and then to Upland, CA, where she attended college. In 1949, she had an opportunity to spend six months in war-torn Germany with Mennonite Central Committee. (Her parents were missionaries with MCC.) She then transferred to Pomona College in California where she majored in physical education with a biology minor.

In 1952, she taught physical education, anatomy, physiology, and coached women’s basketball at Taylor University in Indiana. There she met a handsome young man named Bob, and in 1955, she received her MS degree from Indiana University, and her “MRS” as well. Bob and Lois moved to Upland, CA to pursue their teaching careers. Lois taught a total of 25 years at the Claremont Colleges, the American School in Japan, Washington University in Seattle, and other colleges/universities.

While teaching in Tokyo, Bob and Lois became joyful parents of their son, David, and after returning to the U.S., their daughter, Deborah. They raised their family in Claremont, CA. Lois poured her heart and soul into being a mother. One of her greatest joys was being Grandma to her dearly loved grandsons, Kyle, Andrew, and Chris.

After visiting her son in Ireland, Lois began many wonderful years of traveling with Bob and friends. Two of her loves were writing and photography. She blended them to create slide presentations of her travels, which she shared with retirement homes, churches, and community organizations. She loved helping others, and one of the expressions of that love was founding and directing the Dialogue Ministries (The People Place in Claremont), a ministry to the homeless and those in need. She was very active in her church, and led Bible studies and creative activities in many venues, including homes for the elderly.

Bob and Lois moved from their home in Claremont to Upland Manor in 1997. Her beloved husband passed away in 2003. In 2019, after 22 years at the Manor, Lois moved to Inland Christian Assisted Living Home in Ontario, CA. In July, 2020, she moved in with her daughter, Deborah, in Walnut, CA.

Her love for others, her humor and creativity, her graciousness, and her great love for the Lord, remained unwavering through her last days.

*****

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service and reception on Saturday, November 19, at 2:00 p.m. at Upland Brethren in Christ Church, 845 W. Arrow Hwy, Upland, CA. (There will be a 20 min. prelude of piano, violin, and flutes before the service.)

If you are planning to attend the reception, an R.S.V.P. ([email protected]) would be much appreciated, but is not required.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to any of the following: Mennonite Central Committee (21 S. 12th St., P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500), Truth For Life (1-888-588-7884), Upland Brethren in Christ Church (845 W. Arrow Hwy., Upland, CA 91786), Upland Manor (1125 W. Arrow Hwy, Upland CA 91786)