Lois, age 94, beloved daughter of Nida and Harry Brainard, passed on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Green Acres of Allendale. Lois was born in Elsie, Michigan on October 30, 1924. She was the only daughter of Nida and Harry Brainard.
Her brothers were Glen (Marge), Gerald (Marie, Ford (Winnie) and Don (Jean). Lois adored all of her brothers. All her brothers and spouses are deceased.
Lois graduated from Alma High School in 1942. In February of 1944 Lois married Loren “Bud” Wiltshire, also of Alma (Class of 1940). They were married for 66 years until his death in 2010.
Four children were born to this union. Richard Craig of Traverse City, Lois Ann White of El Dorado, Arkansas, Nancy Kay Beckwith (Lawrence) of Grand Rapids, and Kathleen Marie Murphy (Garry) of Allendale, Michigan. Six grandchildren: Lisa Zolman and Bill White, Jim (Glenda) and Ken (Kelly) Niergarth, Adam and Aaron Beckwith.
Ten great grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews. Grandma was a great card sender for birthdays but especially for Halloween and Valentine’s Day. This past holiday season was the first time she missed sending out her cards to the grand and great grandkids.
The family moved to Evart in 1953. They also bought a cottage near Evart on Hicks Lake where they spent summers. Lois was a stay at home mother until the late 50’s when she went to work at Davey and Company in Evart.
Later she worked at Adeline’s Dress Shop in Evart. She enjoyed both of these positions. In 1969 Bud and Lois moved to the lake to live year round.
They moved to Florida in 1977 but were back “on the lake” in the 1980’s and full time by 1996. After Bud’s passing Lois lived with her daughter Nancy and husband Larry in Grand Rapids but also spent some summer time at the lake. Mother enjoyed her flowers and had a love for animals.
She crocheted many an afghan for family and friends and was a wonderful cook. In 2017 she moved to assisted living in Allendale. Our mother was a beautiful woman and pleasant to all who met her.
Her daughter Nancy recalled her mother’s friendliness by watching how her mother interacted with the checkout clerks in the local A and P and IGA Evart. Our mother will be missed but we are thankful that her physical pain from severe scoliosis has ended. The last 15 to 20 years had been very difficult for her.
We would like to thank Kindred Hospice for their support and guidance over the last two months, Green Acres of Allendale for their loving care, Dr. James Passinault for his care of both our parents, Dr. Robert Rood, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of the Michigan Pain Clinic and all of the special people who are aides and caretakers of our loved ones. Memorial contributions may be made in Lois’ name to Kindred Hospice, 625 Kenmoor Avenue SE, Ste 115, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Rest in peace Mom.
Donations may be made to: Kindred Hospice 625 Kenmoor Avenue SE, Ste 115, Grand Rapids MI 49546 Tel: 1-616-249-3043 Web: www.
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