Lois Marie Brugger, 91

Lois Marie Brugger of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2022. Many family members were able to visit her that day, which was a comfort to all. She was 91 years old.

Lois was born on Sept. 20, 1930, in Mitchell, S.D., to to Merle and Nina Welch. She was the fourth of seven children. The family moved to Post Falls when she was seven.

She worked as a foreman in the bean fields on the Brugger farm. Nona and Ronnie said she didn't go easy on them as family, the rules applied to all and she checked if all the beans were picked from the vine and that no rocks were being put in the bottom of the box — yes, people did that because they got paid by weight!

Lois married Edward E. Brugger on Dec. 12, 1953. They had four daughters, to whom Lois was a loving mom and a wonderful example of how to live life peacefully and to quietly endure through hardships. She also took care of her mother-in-law and her mother in their last years, in spite of her own injuries and pain: She was truly loving and caring to others.

Lois had a passionate love for animals. She and her brother, Corvin, would jump on the neighbors horses with no halter and enjoy the ride! She also raised collie and Pomeranian dogs. Her sister, Nona, said she said she would choose to trade her chores with her so she could milk the cows while Nona did dishes, just so she could be with the animals.

Flowers were another of Lois' loves. She looked forward every year to shopping for beautiful flowers and plants to decorate her yard with. Family and friends loved to sit on the porch with her to visit and enjoy the gorgeous vision of her yard.

Although she enjoyed her home and yard, she still loved to go on drives to enjoy the beautiful creations around her. This was a love she got from her father. Lois was also a great artist. Her favorite things to draw were gorgeous horses and beautiful portraits of women. Cooking and baking were also favorites. Lois was famous for her baked beans, pies and cakes. She would be asked to bring them to get-togethers for everyone to enjoy.

As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Lois had a love of studying the Bible. She found the answers to many questions she had through her studies and enjoyed sharing the love and encouragement she found there. She especially looked forward to Jehovah's promise of the resurrection, when she will be reunited with her family and friends.

Lois is preceded in death by her brothers, Floyd Almeron Welch, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Merle Corvin Welch of Fontana, Calif., and her sisters, Avis Louise Sweitzer of Hayden, Idaho, and Nona May Rawls of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

She is survived by four daughters, Marlene Kay Burrow, Kathie Lynn Massegossa and Sheryl Lee Foster of Post Falls, Idaho, and Lorri Jean Stewart of Cataldo, Idaho, her sister, Esther Ivonne Meyer of Hayden, Idaho, her brother, Ronald Emerson Welch of Spokane Valley, Wash., six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren as well as many loving nieces and nephews and their families.