April 22, 1927 - August 31, 2024
(Age 97)
Lois was the first child born to Adolph and Lydia Schultz. She was born at home in Harrington, WA. Her dad purchased a section of farmland nine miles outside of Harrington and farmed this property all his life. Lois grew up there as she and her brother, Robert, helped with chores and raising cows, chickens, pigs, horses, and a garden. Lois had her pet horse, Star, which she and the neighbor kids rode. They had a dog, Billie, and many other pets and barn cats. Lois was in 4-H and had a chicken, Ka-Ka, which she entered in the Davenport Fair and won a blue ribbon.
Lois went to Harrington School for grades 1-12 and graduated in 1945. During spring and fall, she and her brother would ride their bikes about 1 1/2 miles to the school bus stop. During winter, their dad would take them to the bus stop in a horse-drawn wagon or sleigh. There were nine kids in her graduating class. After high school, she attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing and graduated in 1948 as an RN. She started her nursing career at St. Ignatious Hospital in Colfax, WA, for a year and then went to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA, for 10 years. Lois had many friends and co-workers there. She worked in the ED and IV booth. At the time, the Nuns ran the hospital and kept the nurses on their toes. Lois worked at Valley General Hospital for a few years in the late sixties through the early seventies when it opened. After that she stayed home as a homemaker and raised three children.
Lois met her husband, Fred Rogers, on a blind date set up by her lifelong nurse friend, Ruby Moland. Her and Fred were married in Harrington on June 25, 1950, and were married for over 60 years. They built their first home in Opportunity, WA, in the early '50s and lived there until building another home in Otis Orchards, WA, in the late '60s. She had many friends from her nursing career, Fred's farming friends, and neighbors.
Lois and Fred had three children, Kevin Arthur (Becky) was born in 1955; Kirk Alan was born in 1956; and Karen (Tom) Gladden was born in 1958. Lois also had four grandchildren, Mackensie (Alex) Liberman, Bryan (Christina) Lopes, Jason (Courtney) Rogers, and Brandon Lopes along with numerous great-grandchildren.
Lois enjoyed gardening flowers and vegetables, growing fruits, being involved in local zoning issues and politics. They took trips with friends to Spain, Italy, Germany, England, Wales, and cities in the U.S.
Lois enjoyed Fred's farming of certified merion bluegrass, certified wheat, and barley. There were many late nights when dinner was at 9 pm. Kevin and Kirk helped their dad with the farming for many years during the summers.
She and Fred enjoyed their involvement in racing stockcars and limited hydroplanes in the N.W. with Earl Wham as the driver in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. They raced stockcars at Mead, The Stadium, and the Fairgrounds Speedway. The hydroplanes they were well known in the N.W., The Squirrel, Holy Smoke, and Miss Merion Bluegrass (2X National Champion). The hydros raced in Spokane and across the state and even in Miami, FL. There were plenty of trophies and records. Fred and Lois were also involved going to many stockcar races from Calgary, AB, to Phoenix, AZ, to watch their son, Kirk, win races, set track records, and win championships.
Lois was a member of Christ Lutheran church in Opportunity for many years.
Lois lived at the home in Otis Orchards with Fred and their German Shepherds, many cats, and surrounded by white tail deer, birds, squirrels, and coyotes. Lois was a dear and kind person and was loved by all.
Lois and Fred built the housing development 'Woodland Hills Estates' on their farmland in Otis Orchards in 2004. What a beautiful 37 home development. With the help of Jim Stravens, Joe and Julie Wilhelm, and Kevin and Becky Rogers, it was successful.
Lois was preceded in death by her loving husband, 'Farmer Fred' Rogers in November 2010; her brother, Robert Schultz in March 2018; her mother, Lydia Schultz in March 1998; and her father, Adolph Schultz in October 1985.
Lois had a wonderful caretaker at home, Mary Proctor, who took care of her for years until Lois fell and broke her left hip in August 2019. While in Mary's care, she received the best care we could have ever prayed for. Mary went above and beyond her call of duties for Lois, and we sincerely thank her for this. Mary was truly thoughtful, honest, and hard working. Lois then lived at Guardian Angel Homes in Liberty Lake, WA, where she received excellent and loving care from the great staff until she passed away. She loved the staff and facility. She was also taken care of by Hospice of Spokane the last few months.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lois' name to Partners for Pets or Hospice of Spokane.