Lois Elmina Irving Krause passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at her home in Salt Lake City. She was 100 years old, among the last of "the Greatest Generation." Born April 5, 1920, in Granger, Utah, to Duncan Lafayette and Zina Lenora McRae Irving. Lois was the youngest of six children.
Attended Plymouth Junior High School and Granite High School. Lois skipped second grade and was even valedictorian at Plymouth! She maintained life-long friendships with her Granger childhood friends.
During high school, Lois obtained the nickname "Tillie" based on the newspaper comic strip Tillie the Toiler. Once when the Irving family was working in its front yard, Lois was lifting a big boulder and her brother Bill called her “Tillie the Toiler." The name stuck!
Married Theodore Ervin Krause in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 24, 1940. Later divorced. They had one daughter, Teddie Krause.
In her youth Lois loved playing center field on several young women’s softball teams including the Queen Bees. During her lifetime she also enjoyed roller-skating, bowling, golf, crossword puzzles, L.L. Bean catalogs and trips to Wendover. Employed for more than 30 years as legal secretary to Louis H. Callister, Sr. She was a member of Salt Lake Legal Secretaries and an officer of the Legal Secretaries Association. Later Lois worked as the one-and-only support staff at Utah Association of Counties where she enjoyed her friendships with many county commissioners.
It was said there was no better secretarial help available than Lois and her sister "Jonnie," and no women better dressed. They were always attired in the very finest business fashions and pioneered the wearing of pantsuits on the Salt Lake City business scene!
Thank you to Good Shepherd Home Care and Hospice and to CNA Emily Hartman and special CNA Keiry Martinez for their care of Lois during her final days.
Survived by daughter Teddie Krause; nephews Ned (Shauna) Bevan, Gordon Irving, Tom (Judy) Irving; special grandnieces Sharol (Dan) Florence, Amanda (Spencer) Phillips, Katie (David) Beifuss, Stephanie Bevan, and grandnephew Patrick (Emanda) Bevan; grandnieces Jessica (Rick) Marschall, Beverly (John) Jacobs, Jean (Mike) Lee, Amelia (Christopher) Johnson, Nicole Irving, Georgia Irving, and grandnephew Oliver Irving.
Preceded in death by brothers Ivor (Ruby) Irving, Wayne (Betty) Irving, Wilbur "Bill" Irving; sisters Anna (Bub) Bevan, Eloise "Jonnie" (Herb) Zimmerman; nephews Dick Bevan and John Irving.
For those who feel comfortable in attending, a visitation is at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, on Friday, August 21, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Followed by a brief memorial service at noon in the mortuary. Masks and social distancing required at both. Interment at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E 4580 S, Millcreek.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Lois's name to Alzheimer's Association Utah Chapter, alz.org, or Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, ironwoodpigs@yahoo.com. (Yes, she liked pigs!)
I will miss getting to visit with Lois. Her sweet personality and interest she showed in each person.
Joyce Hammond
Great admiration for your loyal care of Tillie. May the memories shared
enrich your life. d.
It is so wonderful to celebrate the life of Lois! Mahalo Teddie for bringing her into our lives. Your warmth, kindness and generosity tell us more about Lois. Our prayers for you and your family! Aloha!
"Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die.” (D&C 42:45.) Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life." (President Russell M. Nelson)
What a TROOPER you have been, Lois! You made your goal of living so well and strong past 100 years! And Teddie has been such an angel daughter to help you get to that goal. Congratulations! I look forward to a great visit with you when my turn comes. With love and encouraging wishes on your continued learning journey. Hope you meet some of my family there! Excited for YOU, your sister, Sharon Stevens
Such a wonderful Lady. Lois was well cared for by her daughter, Teddie. My heart goes out to the family during this solemn time. Lois was such an inspiration to us all. Every time I saw her she was so upbeat, friendly and shared with us her lively personality. I feel such honor to have known you, Lois, and have such admiration for you and Teddie. As the days continue forward, may all be well for those you loved and now leave behind.
Teddie, You had the cool mom...not only cool but warm and loving. She seemed truly caring. She and Her darling sister Jonnie were so nice to me and your other friends; putting up with our silly ways. We havent really connected much for years but, reading the other tributes; I realize that you have gone through some difficult times watching over Lois these last years of her life. Im so glad that she had you around for her and I hope that gives you comfort. You're the best, Sincerely, Barb