Lois Nelson McLean was born in Burley, Idaho. She lived there until she married Leon on her 18th birthday. Her parents were Jesse Roy Nelson and Nellie Livingston. She had two sisters and two brothers, all of whom have preceded her in death. She was the last of her family to pass on. She passed away peacefully at her home in Randolph, Utah, surrounded by the things and pets she loved.
Also preceding her in death was a son, Gary Leon McLean; a son-in-law, Kim Patterson; and a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Bodecker McLean.
She is survived by her children, Sandra Lee (Kim) Patterson, Kristina (Karl) Rencher, Craig (Bonnie Bodecker) McLean, RaeNell (David) Camper, Bruce (Marian Martin) McLean, Barry (Charlene Hoffman) McLean and Darwin (Lisa Wagstaff) McLean; 23 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and even some great-great-grandchildren.
Lois was a hard-working woman. She worked for Modern Cleaners in Brigham City, Utah, a coat factory in Brigham City and the Gators (now Crawford Trough) in Randolph, Utah. She was an asset wherever she worked. Her honesty and work ethic were unrivaled. She always put the customer first and met every challenge with a smile.
She enjoyed dancing and listening to music. She and Leon were stake dance directors when they lived in Montana. She loved to watch others dance and enjoyed dance competitions. She enjoyed watching the Scottish dancers when she was able to attend some of the Scottish festivals. She enjoyed all music. She performed with choirs in her high school and in the church for many years. She often said she wished that some of the modern music would be more like the crooners such as Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra and Perry Como — you could understand the words they were saying.
She loved playing games. There were many a late night around her table playing spoons or other card games. She liked playing solitaire on the computer, which is the only thing she ever did on the computer. She didn’t like these “new- fangled things.”
She loved the mountains and taking long drives into them. She would often drive or want to be driven to the mountains so she could sit among the pine trees and feel the peace and serenity there. She also loved sitting on her back porch in her swing, listening to the birds and watching them flit around her feeders.
Lois was always willing to sacrifice everything for her family. She made sure her children had what they needed and then would sacrifice again to get them what they wanted. Family always came first. She supported all in their endeavors, never judging but always standing by ready to offer whatever assistance they needed.
Her life was one of commitment, dedication and love. Her home was always open to those who needed help. She never turned any away and gladly gave what she had to the service of others. Her greatest source of pride and joy were her children and husband. She rarely missed an important event in her children’s lives. You could see her on the sidelines or in the cheering section of the events that her family members were involved in.
She will be missed enormously, and she was loved totally by those who knew her.
Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, until the time of services. Funeral services will be conducted at noon at the Randolph LDS Chapel, in Randolph, Utah. Interment will follow services at the Randolph Cemetery.
