LOIS DARLENE LUCAS

Jan. 1, 1942–Dec. 20, 2018
Funeral service for Lois Lucas were held Friday, Dec. 28, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Newcastle, Wyo., with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Interment  followed at Greenwood Cemetery. A gathering and celebration of life took place at the Weston County Senior Services center at 2 p.m. on the same day.
Lois Darlene Lucas passed away Dec. 20, 2018, at Weston County Manor. She was born on Jan. 1, 1942, in Prairie du Chien, Wisc., to Claire Reed and Hazel Stender. Lois grew up in Prairie living on the banks of the Mississippi River as the fifth of nine children. After finishing eighth grade, Lois entered the workforce. Here she held several positions in a variety of industries including the Andes Candy factory. Eventually she found her passion as a nurse’s aide because she loved going to work and feeling that she was helping those in need. 
Lois was blessed with her first daughter, April, in the spring of 1966. Later, she met and married Clifford Lucas on Sept. 10, 1969, in McHenry, Ill. The couple made their home in Wisconsin and had two children, Tom and Cheri, while they lived there. 
In 1980, the family moved to Newcastle, where Cliff’s mother lived. Here Lois continued her career by working for the Manor and earning her Certified Nurse’s Aide certificate. Lois was able to watch her family grow as she saw all her children graduate, the birth of six grandchildren, and adopted many of her children’s and grandchildren’s friends as her own throughout her years in Newcastle. She also became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Newcastle; she found much joy as an active member of the congregation. 
Throughout her life, Lois also belonged to several Tops clubs where she held many offices and received several awards. Lois loved making crafts and in her later years received much enjoyment by belonging to an Artful Gals Club. After retiring from Weston County Home Health due to continuing health concerns, Lois remained active in the community not only through her memberships but she found a new love for volunteer work. For many years she gave time to the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center where she enjoyed meeting people who were traveling through and hearing their stories. In the last years of her life, she regularly volunteered at the senior center and came to regard many there as family. Lois enjoyed crocheting, making holiday treats to share with others, reading, spending time with family and friends and was a lifelong salt and pepper set collector. 
She is survived by her children, Tom Lucas of Hulett, Wyo., April (Keith) Aylesworth of Newcastle, and Cheri (Everett) Schulze of Sheridan, Wyo.; three siblings; Del (Jean) Cota of Florida, Fran (Pete) Dohse of Wisconsin, and June (Bill) Linzenmeyer, also of Wisconsin; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. 
Lois was proceeded in death by both her parents; five siblings, Betty deLorimier, Bev Daniels, Cheri Cota, David Reed, and Jim Cota; her husband, Cliff; one grandson, Nathan Simmons; and one great-grandson, Logan Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Lois’ name to benefit Weston County Senior Services. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 South Railroad Ave, Newcastle, WY 82701.