Obituary for Lois Faye Gregoire

Lois Faye Wright-Gregoire

1937-2023

Lois was born October 15,1937 in Des Moines, Iowa.  She was the daughter of Paul Wright and Nellie Wright-Schmaltz. Lois grew up on the Southside of Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School class of 1955. Lois married Ernie Gregoire in Vermillion South Dakota on September 10, 1955. Lois and Ernie moved to Wichita Kansas in October 1955 where they made their home. Lois worked for Boeing Aircraft until January 1958 when their son Michael Alan was born. In July 1961 their daughter Dianne Ranae was born. In 1969 Lois and family returned to Des Moines where Ernie was employed at Interstate Motor Freight. In 1973, Ernie was promoted to Terminal Manager at Interstate Motor Freight in Cedar Rapids Iowa and they made their home in Marion. Lois was employed at Central Iowa Power Cooperative (Cipco) from 1976 to 2000 as a receptionist. Lois retired in May 2000. Ernie and Lois moved to West Des Moines in September 2021 to live at Cedar Ridge Village to be close to their family.

Lois is survived by daughter Dianne (Joe) Raftis of West Des Moines, grandson Jon (Ashley) Raftis of Waukee and great grandchildren Jordan and Kathryn. Lois is also survived by grandson Jason Raftis aka "Brother Andrew of the Mother of God" of Lake Elmo Minnesota, and daughter in law Paula Gregoire of Marion and one special cousin Linda (Russ) Francisco of Des Moines.  She enjoyed watching her grandsons grow to be adults.

Lois was proceeded in death by her father Paul Wright in 1948 and mother Nellie in 1998 and Nellie's husband Herman Schmaltz in 1988, son Michael in 2016 and husband Ernie in December of 2022. Lois was also proceeded in death by three of the four special cousins who grew up next door, Jo-Ann Mueller of Albuquerque NM, Peggy Bishop of Albuquerque NM and Janet Smith of Des Moines.

Lois was a special lady who made friendships with everyone she met and was a very caring mother for her family. Lois loved her church, the Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals. Lois had a tremendous, unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the many trials, as well as blessings of her life.

Lois had a favorite bible verse Isiah 41:10 “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Lois passed away peacefully with her family at her side at Methodist West Hospital on July 6. Lois requested to be cremated with a private burial at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids next to Ernie and Michael's resting place.