Born in Jamestown, New York, she was the daughter of the late Harold & Alice Carlson.
Also preceding Lois in death were her husband Donald of 40 years, brother, Ronald Carlson, and sister, Iris Leet.
She is survived by her children, Scott Reichard (Deborah) of Cocoa, FL, and her daughter, Wendy Plate (Kenneth) of Zellwood, FL. Granddaughter, Allisha Jacyszyn (Joseph), Grandson, Andrew Hall (Jen), Bonus Granddaughter, Emilee Westervelt (Justin) and three of the most amazing great-grandsons, Miles 10, Carl 7, and Jaxson 3yrs old.
After graduating from Jamestown High School in 1948, Lois worked at Watson Manufacturing Co where she met her soulmate, Donald. They were married on August 30, 1952. After starting a family, they built their first home on East Virginia Blvd where they lived until June 1978. A life-changing career move transported them to Plant City, FL where the empty nesters began a new chapter in their lives.
15 years into their adventure, Donald had a massive heart attack and passed on March 14, 1993. After three years Lois moved to the Villas at Walden Lake and decided to complete the dream she and Donald had, to see the world. She and her sister, Iris, and best friends Liz, Darlene, Millie, Louise, and Lee began their own adventures, as the traveling queens. From Branson, MO., to Las Vegas, from The Panama Canal to Alaska, across the Canadian Rockies to New England, and every cruise from the Baltic & Mediterranean Seas to the Western Caribbean. Her last trip was to her 70th Class reunion in her hometown, Jamestown, NY. Such a full life, never wanting to miss an opportunity to explore the world, and everyone she met, loved her. Lois’s smile radiated friendship. She was so giving and had a servant’s heart, which explains her 21 years as a volunteer at the South Florida Baptist Hospital. She crocheted hats for the preemie babies, sewed quilts for missions, and sang in the choir at her church. She loved to play bridge, Skip-bo, and bingo whenever she had the chance. As a long-time member of the garden club, she won many awards at the Strawberry Festival and entered her sewing fashions, winning blue ribbons every year.
Lois loved the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays, a true baseball fanatic! A zest for life, like no other. Lois was a passionate warrior, “Never Giving Up” was her motto, and she will be truly missed by all.
A visitation for Lois will take place on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Wells Memorial Funeral Home, 1903 W. Reynolds Street, Plant City, Florida 33563, and a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Mt. Enon Cemetery, Plant City, Florida.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Reichard family.
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