Lois Catherine VanDeWarker's Obituary
With thundering grace and indomitable beauty, veracity, resolute wit and undeniable luminosity, Lois Catherine Sauer (Van De Warker) arrived on our earth, March 21st, 1938 - instantly enhancing its shimmer.
Lois and her older brother, Donald Clifton, were born to Earl Calvin Sauer and Stella Moisef in, as the Moirai would have it, the city of angels - Los Angeles, California. In 1944, the family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. There, Lois coruscated the halls of Oak Grove School, then Grants Pass High School – graduating in 1955.
While residing in Oregon, Lois befriended June Van De Warker. June was a cousin to Raymond ‘Ray’ Arthur Van De Warker. June introduced Lois and Ray while he was visiting family. Lois and Ray briefly courted. Designedly, kismet ensured Lois and Ray met again when she went to Disneyland while visiting a relative in California. Their love blossomed fully and Lois and Ray married in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 15th, 1958 – exchanging keys to the empires of their heart.
Lois had a child from a previous marriage, Donald Lee. Ray loved him like he was his own and adopted Donald when he was one year old. Soon after they were married, Lois and Ray brought their daughter, Lori Elaine into this world.
Education was important to Lois. Her attended multiple colleges as she studied to become a professional secretary – excelling at shorthand. Lois was talented and incredibly particular when it came to writing. After retiring, Lois was known for reading many books. At times, Lois would take a red pen and edit the book as she read it. On one occasion, she mailed a book she edited back to its writer and instructed him to hire a better editor. That writer hired her to edit his next publications.
Lois and Ray shared an affinity for Disneyland. Both were employed by the theme park. Starting in 1959, Lois worked at Disneyland for 12 years. In 1974, not long after leaving Disneyland, Lois began teaching ceramics. Her home was filled with all manner of ceramic art – from cats to mushrooms to trolls. From 1980 – 1996, Lois worked for Jim Ruth in Anaheim and Long Beach, California. When Lois retired, she was executive assistant to the Anaheim City Manager.
In 1968, Lois and Ray Van De Warker joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Lois and Ray were sealed, to swirl in the heavens together forever, on February 28th, 1970. Lois served in many callings and excelled as Relief Society President for the Anaheim Ninth Ward.
While in Orange County, Lois and Ray had a group of best friends who were called ‘The Crew’. Lois radiated love and light to Kimmi and Benson Olsen, Bob and Connie Suggs, Patty and David Chalk, as well as Dean and Nedra Bowles. Lois, Ray and The Crew were, at times, inseparable – doing everything together. They all shared a houseboat, a cabin at Lake Arrowhead and traveled to Hawaii, Florida and Japan. From The Crew, only Benson, Patty and the Bowles remain on this earth. In Utah, Lois and Ray loved hosting their dear friends, Wayne and Jane Cole for weekly lunches. They would play their favorite games – dominoes and chicken foot. Lois enjoyed organizing the annual ‘old fogies BBQ’ at their home.
Lois and Ray purchased their first home in East Anaheim California in 1963. Lois illuminated that city until 2000 when she and Ray transposed themselves to Clinton, Utah. As with all creatures who rely on its warmth, it’s hard to be without the sun and Lois’ family was no different. They all relocated to Utah to thrive under Lois’ brilliance once again. In anticipation of Lois’ and Ray’s trek, Lori Elaine went first in 1993 – bringing her whole family. Their granddaughter, Catherine – who Lois and Ray took into their home and raised through high school – moved to Utah in 2001. She was followed eventually by grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom couldn’t be without Lois’ light. Christmas Eve with Lois and Ray was a perennial tradition, eagerly anticipated by all – young and old. In addition to family members, the in-laws of their granddaughter, Catherine - the Palmers - built their home nine houses away from Lois and Ray. The Palmers, too, benefited from Lois’ resplendence and the four became great friends.
Lois enjoyed genealogy work and was passionate about having temple work done, not just for her family line, but for her friends and the family members of those friends. Lois had a true understanding of Jesus and of the love she believed he gave freely to everyone. Lois did not judge others by how they looked as a person, but by who they were as a person. Lois believed in civil and equal rights for everyone and she never failed to speak her mind on the matter – even if it was an unpopular opinion.
Lois had a love for animals and shared that love with some lucky creatures. Certainly, Prince Periwinkle, Sir Percival T. Bodnik, Duchess of Patnebet and Houdini await her heralded arrival in heaven.
Lois loved Elvis, making ABC boxes for her great-grandchildren, Snow White, vanilla ice cream, cats, crossword puzzles, Mickey Mouse, MAS*H, precious moment figurines and Disney memorabilia.
The power and fiery effulgence of Lois’ light came from her outspokenness, her feistiness, her ability to love unconditionally, her honesty, her boldness, her professionalism, her beauty, her creativity, her wit, her determination, her organization, her naughtiness, her irreverence. Lois was consistently, inimitably and unashamedly herself. Lois was never concerned over whether or not everyone liked her, yet everyone did.
If Charles Bukowski is right and we are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us, then Death finally built up the moxie to take Lois, peacefully in her sleep, on May 12th, 2016 – three days before her 58th wedding anniversary – joining her with the love of her life, Ray, who died three weeks earlier. With the same thundering grace and indomitable beauty that accompanied Lois as she arrived on our earth she departed it - its glow now noticeably diminished.
Lois is survived by her son, Donald Lee Hernes (Van De Warker), Donald’s wife, Gina Hernes, Lois’ daughter, Lori Elaine Miller (Van De Warker), Lori’s husband, David Gerald Miller. Also surviving Lois are her grandchildren, Catherine ‘Cat’ Palmer (Van De Warker), Adam Van De Warker, Keith Miller, Amy Tadeo (Miller), Raylin Gomen (Mitchell) [Catherine’s half-sister] , Heidi Miller, Dorothy (Charlie) Miller, Denyeill Van De Warker, Dawn Van De Warker and Montana Van De Warker. Finally, the great grandchildren, Jozelle Van De Warker, Braidyn Van De Warker, Jackson and Lucas Palmer, Alora and Christopher Tadeo, Ellie and Hudson Miller, Alexis Padilla, as well as Peter and Thomas Gomen (Raylin’s children).
All these names are just a few of those who have been touched and warmed by Lois Catherine Sauer’s light - all of whom, when even in the midst of their own personal winters, found within Lois an invincible summer.
For those who wish to celebrate Lois’ life, funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1288 West 1300 North in Clinton, Utah on Saturday, May 21st 2016 at 11 AM.
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Share a story where Lois' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lois you’ll never forget.
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