LOIS MARIE STEWART COX

Lois was a child of God, living her faith as a Christian girl to her final days as a 91-year-old woman
confined to bed. Her greatest love after Jesus was her husband, Raymond George Cox. They met in
her last months as an art education student in university, UWM. He was a man in turmoil, recently
out of the Korean War, working, unsure of his future, not healthy; but also firm in his faith and soon
smitten with Lois! They married August 6, 1955; blessed with over 64 years of a happy life.

Lois and Raymond had five children; Gregory Stewart, Lynnea, Michael Ryan, Leonard John and
Bradley William. Gregory and Katie had 5 children, Eric, Monica, Claire, Ian and Cole. Lynnea and
John had Dylan. Michael and Ginny had Jessie, Brianna and Ryan. Leonard and Lois had Heidi and
Trever. Bradley and Jean had Bradley Robert. Bradley married again to Debbie. Raymond and Lois
referred to their “twelve”, their grandchildren. Now the grands have children.

Lois was born in La Grange, Illinois to Ellen Carrie Jensen and Clarence Ross Gale Stewart; the
youngest of three. Myra now 94, and Janet in heaven with Lois and so many others she loved,
including Raymond.

A Sunday School teacher spoke at Lois’ church (First Congregational Church, La Grange) when she
was eight years old. From that time on, she wanted to be a foreign missionary. When she fell in love
with Raymond, he was not in the ministry but went into veterinarian school; a short chapter.
Raymond was a non-traditional seminary student, graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in
1961. His first call was to the mission field in Zambia. He served in Zambia, Malawi, Apache land,
Cameroon, Florida and Wisconsin, retiring from Faith Lutheran Church in Oshkosh. They lived in
the first home they owned during the Oshkosh years, a tiny blue cottage on the canals south of Lake
Winnebago. After Raymond retired, they joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fond du Lac. Her final
formal memebership was with St. Paul’s. Her pastors faithfully cared for her to her last earthly day;
hours before she left this earth for her final home. Heaven is her home.

Lois was a painter, master of oils. Hundreds of paintings grace the walls of many across this globe.
One of the last paintings was started on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023. She celebrated her 91st birthday
at Vista 59, surrounded by friends, family and customers. The painting was of flowers gifted to her
that happy night; other than medical issues, the only time she left her home at Heritage Senior Living,
Elm Grove. Her son John built a wheelchair ramp for her and her friends Penny and Stephanie rented
a van to bring her to the party, her last big art show. She loved it, wearing an embroidered gypsy dress.
She left Heritage in that dress, still beautiful. Her dancing blue eyes closed.

Lois attracted attention. Her personality vibrant, her faith shining, her courage admired, her talent
stunned many. She was tenacious, working hard to walk almost to the end. She didn’t. Her days of
laying in bed were hard on her. Still, people came to her, loved her company, saw her spirit alive, her
faith strong, her love clear. She was cared for beautifully and loved those who took on that hard
work. She loved her five children to the end, yearned for them, prayed for them. As of August 29,
Lois had no more pain but all the beauty and love of this life and so much more. Her grandson Eric
envisions her painting in heaven, Raymond at her side. She wears a crown of flowers!