Lois Clarke

Her first job was at the AGA (Apple Growers Association) cannery. She then moved to Seattle, Wash., and lived with an aunt and worked for Boeing for two and a half years, she then returned to Hood River and worked at Meyers & Smith Dry Cleaners.

One day a handsome young man named Bob Clarke came in to the cleaners and Lois asked if he needed to buy a car, and that she had one to sell. He said maybe, so he went for a test drive and it didn’t run very well, so he decided not to buy it. He must have taken a liking to Lois because lo and behold, he did ask her for a dance one night when they both met up at the Eagles Lodge.

Lois and Bob were married on May 31, 1947. They built two homes together; even built fireplaces and all the patio and rock work on both homes. Not one for not keeping busy, they did many projects over the years.

They both worked hard and played hard. Lois worked nights at the cannery and Bob worked days as a brick mason and between all that they raised five children. Family was very important to Lois and always put her family first.

Lois’s hobbies include gardening, decorating her home and cooking for family and friends. She very much enjoyed cooking wonderful dinners for her family and many friends that she and Bob made throughout the years. She enjoyed passing on those great recipes to her daughters.

Lois and Bob always made the holidays bright and special. Her children said that it was a warm and loving home with lots of great memories of their parents. She will be dearly missed by all who have come to know her and loved her.

Lois is survived by her brother, Lloyd Crown, of Hood River; son Gary Clarke (Audrey), of Ramona, Calif.; daughters Jonell Brandt (Gill) of Fort Collins, Colo., Pam Bates (Joe), of Mt. Hood, Ore., and Karen Sue Dethman (Doug), of Hood River; her loving grandchildren Toni Lynn, Marcus, Rob, Sean, Jonathan, Ryan and Mitch; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, five brothers, and by her beloved son James Clarke.

Her celebration of life funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Anderson’s Tribute Center, with Chaplain Tom Yates officiating. A reception for friends and family will follow at the Tribute Center. Vault interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Hood River.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Arthritis Foundation or Providence Brookside Manor, in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit www.andersonstributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.