Lois Winters

Lois E. Winters, 85, died Dec. 16, 2011 at a Long Beach care facility. Lois was born April 27, 1926 in Kirby, Wyo., the daughter of Lafayette "Lafe" and Hilda (Alton) Bell. Her dad worked as a mechanic, storekeeper and all-round expert at coalmines in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana, eventually saving enough money to buy ranches in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Many of Lois' fondest memories were of growing up with her older brother Tom and younger brother Bud, riding horses to one-room schools, attending Grange dances and other classic Western activities. She was known for her flaming red hair. When she was two, Lois contracted polio. Her family did everything in their power to help her survive and regain use of her legs. Although she was left permanently disabled, her strong will allowed her to mostly overcome paralysis. Well into her 70s, Lois was capable of walking for miles in search of arrowheads, driftwood and other small natural treasures. She graduated from Longmont, Colo., High School in 1944 and after additional schooling became an X-ray technician at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, helping treat wounded soldiers and sailors in the immediate aftermath of World War II. She later returned to Wyoming, marrying Herman "Red" Myers in 1950. She worked as a telephone operator for AT&T in Denver while helping pay his way through college to become an accountant. Their son, Gregory, was born in 1952 but they divorced soon after. In 1956, Lois married Elmer Clyde Winters of Bellingham, an attorney she met while serving on the board of directors of a uranium mining company. They first made their home in Story, Wyo., and then moved to Lander, Wyo., where her parents lived. Elmer adopted Greg in 1957. In 1958, they had their second son, Matthew, followed by Andrew in 1961. Lois and Elmer raised their children in Lander until 1975 and then owned homes in Bend, Ore., and Casper, Wyo., during semi-retirement. They primarily lived in Wyoming for several years immediately before Elmer's death in Lander in 1987. In 1992, Lois moved first to Seaside and then to Seaview to be closer to family. Like her father, Lois achieved what amounted to an advanced education by voraciously reading books and newspapers all her life. She had eclectic interests, particularly centering on history, politics and comparative religion. In the year before her death, she concentrated on World War I, in which her Uncle George served. Like her mother, she was a talented cook and lovingly nurtured young people. Other key interests included bonsai trees, gardening and bird watching. Lois is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Laurial Winters of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Matt Winters and Donna Magnuson of Ilwaco; Andy and Laura Winters of West Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; and by grandchildren Shannon in Wyoming, Elizabeth in Washington, and Emily and Leah in Florida. She also is survived by her brother Tom Bell of Lander, Wyo., cousin/honorary sister Mary Silsby of Glendo, Wyo.; and by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Her ashes will be placed in her parents' family plot in Lander next summer. No local services are planned at this time. Penttila's Chapel by the Sea, Long Beach, was in charge of local arrangements.