Lois Rightmire, 84, 'went home to be with her Lord,' Nov. 1, 2007.

Lois was born June 17, 1923, to Walter and Helen Siebert in Pittsburgh. She struggled with health issues while growing up during the Depression. Her deep belief in the Lord and a desire to survive proved to be her greatest strengths throughout her life as she faced life's challenges.

During World War II she left Pittsburgh for a better life in California. She learned drafting at North American and proceeded to work at Westinghouse. Since Lois loved to dance, she along with other women, boarded a military bus that took them to the USO in Twenty-Nine Palms.

On Christmas Day 1954 in Las Vegas, she married Peter DeWinter. They were interested in rocks of all kinds. She was a self-taught gemologist as her and Pete traveled throughout the United States digging for and collecting rare fossils, petrified wood and gem stones. Together they started their own lapidary business and organized rock shows in Quartzsite, Ariz., Twenty Nine Palms, Calif., and Kalispell. They had their summer home in Somers, and a winter home in Quartzsite, Ariz. Pete preceded her in death, Oct. 12, 1982.

She loved to teach about the fossils, rocks and gems. She was thrilled when Dorien Baker took such an interest in her rock collections and their history at such an early age.

Lois continued her road trips from Montana to Arizona every winter until she met and married George Rightmire, in Arizona. They were history buffs and proud Americans. Together they traveled back to the East Coast to visit relatives and visit the historical sites. They walked the land to experience the country where wars were fought for the freedom that citizens of the United States enjoy today. Lois and George traveled to Germany to see what remained of the concentration camps, as George was an Army medic and was one of the first to arrive there after WWII.

George preceded her in death July 10, 1994.

Lois is survived by her sister, Audrey Hamilton, and Jerry of Los Angeles; and her brother, Walt Siebert, of Long Island, N.Y.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Lois will be dearly remembered and missed by her long time friends and caretakers, Don, Ardis and Lynette Baker of Prescott, Ariz., Darron Baker and her fellow rock enthusiast, Dorien Baker (Darron's son) of Chino Valley, Ariz.

Private burial will be at a later date.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Lois's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Lois' guestbook.