LOIS M. EDDLEMAN Sept. 1, 1925 – May 4, 2023

Lois M. Eddleman, 97, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, in her home in White Rock, New Mexico.

Lois was born on September 1, 1925, to Clarence and Ada Shetler in her grandmother’s house in Olathe, Colorado. She was primarily raised on her parent’s ranch in the mountains West of Olathe near the Uncompahgre National Forest.

Lois graduated from Olathe High School and went on to work for the Rural Electrification Association (REA) in Delta, Colorado. She took a year of piano lessons but continued to teach herself and played the piano and the organ as well as sing and accompany at churches, weddings and funerals throughout the Western Slope. She helped some others get started playing the piano and organ as well.

After marrying Troy Eddleman, they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where she worked for Montgomery Ward and had her first child, John. The family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1961 where she gave birth to two more children, Richard (Rick) and Lori. Lois was Fully dedicated to her family, church, and community. She raised her children, played piano and organ for the Los Alamos Christian Church, and taught hundreds of children and adults to play the piano and a few on the organ. She still had a handful of students up until March of 2023 and played the organ at church until her eyesight gave way, although she continued to play both instruments at home until earlier this year. At church, she also taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

Lois was long affiliated with the Home Extension program, becoming a member and leader of the “Piñon Nuts” extension club. She continued to go to and provide leadership for the state and regional extension meetings and mentored many members throughout her time in the organization. After winning the canning category grand champion for several years at the county fair, she was asked to help coordinate the exhibits, judging, and displays which she continued to do until just a few years ago. She was honored with the Pioneer Award and the Living Treasure Award, evidence that she was invested in the community and the people of Los Alamos.

Lois loved taking drives, traveling, and having adventures, especially with her family and friends. She loved nature and being outdoors. While in her mid-twenties, she took a road trip with three girlfriends through New Mexico, Arizona, and California. For her 90th birthday, she joined her daughter and one of her piano students going the Disneyworld and Universal Studios, and even rode on the Harry Potter roller coaster!

Lois loved to laugh, “be feisty and give people a hard time,” but always in kindness and fun. She was an incredible mother to her children and many others, as well as a mentor and friend to anyone she met.

She lived her love and faith and continually called, wrote letters, sent cards, listened, talked, encouraged, remembered, and prayed for her extended family and the many people she called friends.

Lois (Mom) brought much joy, laughter, and guidance to her family and will be greatly missed, but her wisdom and love will remain in us all until we meet in Heaven. She is our hero.

Lois is survived by her son, John Eddleman, residing in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and her daughter, Lori (Eddleman) Pettit, and her favorite son-in-law, Reid Pettit, living in Huntsville, Alabama, and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Lois Eddleman’s funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Christian Church of Los Alamos.