Posted on 12/26/2019
On the evening of December 9, 2019, Lois Anna (Gehring) Stevens passed away peacefully at the age of 85 in her Cheboygan, MI., home.
Lois was born on January 30, 1934, in Bloomfield, NJ. to her parents John and Frances (Jackson) Gehring and an older sister Jean, who passed away on December 22, 2018.
Lois graduated from Bloomfield High School and worked for Bell Telephone Company before meeting the love of her life, James R. Stevens. Lois and James met through fate as Lois' cousin was James' roommate at the Naval Academy. The moment James saw a picture of Lois, he knew he had to meet her.
Lois and James were wed on June 4, 1955, after his graduation from the Naval Academy. Together Lois and James traveled and lived around the world. They had many adventures at every station James was assigned to during his Naval career. Their greatest adventure of all was the birth of their three children: James, Jr; Holly and Heather. Lois and James lived and loved for 59 years together before James passing on April 9, 2014.
Always willing to try to learn new things, Lois made the effort to learn Spanish and German while stationed over-seas. Lois took college courses just to learn more about subjects that inspired her and used her gift of hospitality to open her home to all, though her sense of dedication didn't stop there as she took the time to decorate numerous birthday cakes, sew homemade costumes and create countless wonderful meals through her skill of cooking and baking (especially her holiday cookies).
Nothing was more sacred to Lois than her family. She lived her faith in God daily, always encouraging her husband's Naval career and serving as a Girls Scout Leader for over 30 years. She also advocated for the Right to Life Movement and Crisis Pregnancy Center and was active with her Bible Studies, women's groups and Sunday school teaching at every church she attended.
Lois is survived by her daughters Holly J. Stevens of Washington, IN. and Heather L. Stevens-Clymer of Cheboygan, MI; her son-in-law Ron Clymer; granddaughters Ashley Clymer, Brandy Clymer and Valerie Clymer all of whom lovingly called her "Nana"; her nephews Glenn (Gina) Summers and Craig (Kathy) Summers and their children and grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents John and Frances Gehring, older sister Jean "Jeannie" M. (Gehring) Summers, brother-in-law William W. Summers, her loving husband Commander (Ret. USN) James R. Stevens Sr., and son James R. Stevens Jr.
Services are at Gill's Funeral Home in Washington, IN., on Saturday, December 21, 2019. Public visitation is from 11am-1pm, with a Christian Service at 1pm.
Burial to follow at Sugarland Memory Gardens.
Published in Cheboygan Daily Tribune on Dec. 21, 2019