Lois Lorine (Smette) Twitchell, 87 years, 7 months and 12 days, of Hayden, Idaho, returned to her loving Heavenly Parent on May 12, 2014.

Lois was born October 3, 1926, in Upham, N.D., to Nels Ingeman and Marthine Knutsvig Smette. She was wife to Sanford Edward Twitchell for 68 years as of March 9, 2014. After leaving Upham at 18, Lois married the man of her dreams. Together they raised three children while moving 15 times in 14 years over the northern California area. Lois and Sanford finally settled in Hayden 30 years ago.  

Lois retired from the sales floor of JCPenney in Santa Rosa, Calif., but never retired from being a wonderful mother. She knitted, crocheted, tatted and sewed innumerable baby blankets, booties, doilies, throws, pants, shirts, blouses and dresses. Lois also baked and decorated numerous goodies, including Norwegian lefsa and wedding cakes. She was well known for her delicious cookies, and gave them out liberally to family and friends. She also thoroughly enjoyed cooking for guests in her home.

Lois loved music - she won competitions as a young girl, and loved singing in the church choir while in Santa Rosa. Lawrence Welk was her favorite TV show and she could usually be heard singing along. She was also an accomplished outdoor camper, and surprised many by roofing the house she and her husband built together in Santa Rosa. Lois really could do anything to which she put her mind.   

One son, Robert, preceded her in departing this world in 1989. Lois is survived by husband, Sanford; children: Sanford, Jr., and Tomina Mae Morgan; 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday,  May 17, at Community of Christ Church, 1801 N. Nineth St., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Lois's online memorial atwww.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.