of Fairfield Bay, AR

May 1, 1932 - October 2, 2024

Lois Dille passed away peacefully on October 2nd, after 92 well-lived years. Lois was born to parents Edna and John Mulrean in May 1932, during the Great Depression, in a small community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Lois's mother, Edna, passed away following an illness, leaving her father to care for six year old Lois and her three brothers, Jack (John A), Bobby (Robert), and Bill (William). Her father was unable to find work locally and placed the four children at the Catholic Orphanage until he was able to secure a job and support them. Lois spoke fondly of the nuns and her time at the orphanage. Once her father was established in Alton, Illinois, he moved Lois and her younger brother Bill to Alton to be with him. Her brother Jack had already entered the seminary, and her brother Bobby had died as a result of an accident. Lois attended high school and continued her education; she became a registered nurse and worked in the St. Louis area.

Lois met her husband, James (Jim) Dille, when he returned to the St Louis area after serving in the Korean War. The two were married in 1956, in Alton at St Mary's Cathedral, surrounded by their families and friends. Jim went to work for FAA and as his career progressed, they moved several times to different locations throughout the midwest, retiring in Little Rock, prior to moving to Fairfield Bay. They celebrated their 68th anniversary in April.

Lois was a strong, independent woman, who was pragmatic and practical, resilient and self-reliant, with an impressive work ethic and a good sense of humor. She had high expectations for herself and those she loved. Her generosity included many charities, and she never forgot a birthday! Lois had an upbeat outlook on life and was genuinely interested in everything. She enjoyed traveling, her favorite places included the Grand Canyon along with Santa Fe, the Colorado Rockies, and the Washington, D. C. area. Other favorite pastimes were reading, visiting libraries and zoos, and walking. Lois was a life-long Catholic and a member of her local parish.

Lois is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Jim, her three daughters Carol Hatch, Marcy (James) Lindsey, and Beth (Jim) Kuhnert, her grandson James (Jeanne-Marie) Meyer, her great grandchildren Ella & Ezra Meyer, and step-great grandsons Jonathan Yates and Caleb Kuhnert, along with many nieces and nephews and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and their spouses Jack (Julie), Bobby, and Bill, her mother-in-law Bessie (Jake) Besaw, sister-in-law and spouse Mary (Don) Clayton, son-in-laws Steve Hatch and Tom Marks, as well as, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial and burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lois's memory to local libraries or zoos, or the charity of your choice.

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