Obituary of Lois K. Hughes

Lois, age 77, passed away Sept. 6, 2007. She was born April 21, 1930, in Sisseton, SD to Lottie and Frank Haggerty. She was the fifth of eight children and shared a special bond with her sister Pat. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jim and Sammy, sister Peggy, and granddaughter Rachel. She is survived by her children Mark (Carol), Ole (Sharon), Jim (Sharon), Barb (Paul), and Mike (Tona), 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Dode, Pat (Bill), and Bea and brother John (Donna) and many other nieces, nephews and cousins. Lois had an adventurous streak and had some great stories to tell of her many adventures. She always focused on the happier times of life and never dwelled on the sad. She had many great memories of family events and vacations. She loved to take the kids back to Minnesota to visit her relatives and to hang out on Elk Lake, where her brother Sammy owned a resort. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday and she loved to make a huge feast and celebrate it with family. You were always welcome at her home, and she always had room at the table for at least two more. She had a taste for the finer things in life and loved to go out to fancy restaurants and eat the finest food. She loved to cook, and is well known for her lasagna and for baking homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. She loved doing crossword puzzles and would just about always complete every one she started. She loved telling good jokes, but loved even better telling a good, inappropriate joke. She loved to read, especially about things of a truthful nature. She loved all kinds of music, but mostly classic country. Some of her favorites were Hank Williams, Sr., and George Strait. She also loved to listen to radio talk shows, such as the Art Bell Show and anything on KVI. She was an organ player and would play and sing for her mom as well as at family gatherings. It gave her great joy to be able to take care of her mom until her mom passed away in 1996. She also loved the many jobs that she had throughout her years including working at Pederson's Fryer Farms and the WSLCB, where she retired from in 1999. Upon her retirement, she lived with her son Mike and watched his family grow to include his wife Tona, and their two children Christopher and Madalyn. Being close to her grandchildren brought her joy everyday. She was also very pleased with the decision to send them to Catholic school. She loved to hear the children recite the Lord's Prayer and to watch them learn the ways of the Catholic Church, which she also learned growing up. Services will be held at Visitation Catholic Church in Tacoma on Saturday, Sept. 15th at 11:00 AM. There will be a reception immediately following in the lower hall. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Lois's memory to a charity of your choice.