Lois Janet Anderson

Lois Janet Anderson, 87, of Midland, passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family on Sunday, May 19th, at MyMichigan Medical Center.

Lois was born on February 3rd, 1937 to Joe and Norma (Reed) Smith in Bay City, MI. The family added younger brother Jimmy eight years later.

Lois grew up in Bay City. She was salutatorian of the Handy High School class of 1955. She went on to secretarial school, then met and married her husband of 66 years, Jim Anderson, a handsome young man from Indiana who was stationed at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, MI.

Lois and Jim settled in Midland to raise their three children: Bob (Jody Libera) Anderson, of Auburn, MI; Steve (Sue Urban) Anderson, of Lawrenceville, GA; and Cheryl (Matt) Smith, of Romeo, MI. She was blessed with her beloved grandchildren: Katie and Patrick (Alyssa Ruggles) Anderson, Sean Anderson, and Grace and Joe Smith; and great-grandchildren: Ava and Halle Simpson and Amelia Anderson.

Education was very important to Lois. She put all three of her children through college by working as a secretary at the Midland County Cooperative Extension Office. Her grandchildren have continued that tradition, accomplishing a wide variety of advanced college degrees.

In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her step-mother Dorothy Smith, her brother Jimmy Smith and sister-in-law Karen Smith.

Lois considered her family of utmost importance and loved them all dearly. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed all sorts of arts and crafts. She was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church for many years and volunteered in many capacities there and in the community. Lois loved music, watching figure skating programs on TV, and theater and was a devoted attendee of Midland Center for the Arts programs. She loved eating out in restaurants, especially if they served a good perch dinner. She traveled throughout the United States and Europe with her sister-in-law Karen's Sunshine Seniors Tours. She also cherished time spent with her Cooperative Extension Group friends.

Lois spent the last year of her life being lovingly cared for at King's Daughters Home in Midland.

A celebration of Lois' life will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday August 21, 2024 at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home. Family will receive guests at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10:30 am until the time of service In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to King's Daughters Home or the Midland Center for the Arts in her memory.