Obituary of Lois Jane Stover

Lois Jane Stover

(November 9, 1935 - February 24, 2021)

Lois Jane was born in Daysland Hospital on November 9, 1935, the daughter of Bob and Kathleen McCarroll.  She passed away in the Daysland Hospital on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at the age of 85 years.  She is survived by her husband Merle; daughter Melody (Dennis) Speers; grandson William, William’s Mother Julia Giesen; brother Jim (Jo) McCarroll and her three nieces Karolee, Bev, and Leanne.  She was predeceased by her son Scott, infant brother Robert McCarroll, and parents Robert and Kathleen McCarroll.
     Lois attended the Daysland School for grades one to twelve.  She was transported by her dad in the early years, then she walked, took a bike or rode a horse.  Sometimes brother Jim drove the horse and buggy.  During the winter she went with other kids in a horse-drawn “caboose”.  
     Life on the farm was a happy time for Lois.  Family photos show her playing with the cats, the dog and holding “Billy” the goat in her arms.  Lois’ mother reminisced about a time when a new litter of “winter kittens” were in a box near the coal and wood kitchen stove.  Lois mused, “Won’t it be nice when all these kittens grow up and have kittens too?”  Many photos show Jim and Lois riding the horses, often being watched by their father.  The cattle, horses, dogs and cats were all given names which Lois seldom forgot.  
     Upon her grade 12 graduation Lois attended the University of Alberta receiving her Junior E teaching certificate at the end of the year.  Her first assignment was a grade 5-6 class housed in an old rural school building which had been relocated near to the Strome School.  At Christmas of that year, she was reassigned to a class of 38 grade five students in Daysland.  She stayed there for nine and a half years and then relocated to teach in Killam Public School for two years.
     Lois became engaged to Merle Stover in April of 1966 and they were married in the Daysland United Church on July 2 of that year.  The newlyweds set out on a honeymoon to Niagara Falls using a 16-foot travel trailer pulled by a four-door Oldsmobile.  When they returned home in August they furnished and set up their new household in a rented house.  Luckily both Merle and Lois were offered positions in the Forestburg School.  Lois taught grade five and Merle was the vice-principal.  Lois stopped teaching in the Spring as she was pregnant with Melody who arrived on June 23, 1967.  Lois started substitute teaching in the fall of 1967 and continued “subbing” until the family moved to Camrose in 1970.  By that time, they had two children as Scott was born on January 2, 1969.  While living in Camrose Lois continued substitute teaching and teaching under contract for longer assignments.  Merle and Lois moved to Bawlf in 1990 and have remained there until the present.
     Lois was always happy to go camping or traveling with the R.V.   Throughout the years she favored the family summer trips to the campground in Banff.  In the early years, Melody and Scott, Moo Foo the dog, Merle’s parents and Grandma McCarroll were involved.   In later years Melody and Dennis and their dog Teddy joined Merle and Lois for these summer vacations.  More recently Grandson William has often joined as well.  He also accompanied Grandma and Grandpa on trips to Waterton and Glacier Parks, Yellowstone Park and southern Montana, Barkerville, B.C., and a winter break in Arizona.  Lois also looked forward to local Good Sam Campouts and Provincial Rallies where long-time friends from other chapters brought her up to date on the happenings in their lives.  Last summer Lois enjoyed accompanying Merle, Melody, Dennis and Teddy on camping trips to Sedgewick Lake, Red Deer, Devon, Tunnel Mountain for two weeks and Aspen Beach Campground at Gull Lake.   As Lois and Merle have aged the preparation, planning and site setups have become more difficult to undertake.  Both Lois and Merle have appreciated the efforts of Dennis and Melody to make it possible for them to enjoy these trips.
     Longtime friends Russ and Shirley Garland from North Dakota came to be like a brother and sister to Merle and Lois.  Their visits to Canada were always treasured over the years.  Two memorable visits involved the two families traveling to Pacific Rim National Park on the B.C. Coast and another when they traveled to Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks.  After teaching with them in the 1960’s the Garlands returned to the United States to raise their family and now they are close neighbors in the Wellton, Arizona R.V. Park.  
     Lois enjoyed many hobbies over the years including painting, sewing, gardening and in the latest years she took pride in the coloring projects she dedicated herself to so faithfully.  She was a kind and gentle woman who would do what she could to help and support others.  She was a caring and supportive mother and a faithful and appreciative wife.   
Even though her health was failing she did not complain.
Her quiet Faith in her Lord was her strength.

Due to Alberta Health regulations, a private family service was held. Interment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Lois's memory may be made to the Camrose Food Bank, or to the charity of one's choice.