Lois Gray

Lois Gray, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 16, 2023. Lois was born February 15, 1930 in Ft. Collins, Colorado to Guy and Mildred (Hardenburger) Hand.

Lois was 5 years old when the depression hit and her family traveled from Ft. Collins to Corvallis, Oregon. From there they moved to Kings Valley, Oregon, then to Tulelake, California and Poe Valley and Malin, Oregon and finally settling in Klamath Falls. She attended Klamath Union High School and OTI.

Lois worked in various jobs in her younger years and was always a busy homemaker.

She and her husband had a Shaklee store in Mallory’s Mini Mall for several years and she sold Avon, becoming the top sales representative in the state, earning a car and many trips, which she shared with her family.

Until their retirement from farming and the ranch, Lois and her husband raised sheep and cattle and grew hay and grain in lower Klamath Lake area and the Tulelake leases.

She had a passion for gardening and definitely had a green thumb. She could grow anything and always had a wonderful garden with the most beautiful flowers, and her vegetables were the envy of many. She loved to participate in the Klamath Fair, the Potato Festival and the Tulelake Fair with her flowers, vegetables and baking; winning nearly all blue ribbons and many Best of Show categories. Her many interests besides gardening included baking, crocheting, sewing and reading. She also enjoyed the occasional trip to Kl-Mo-Ya for dinner and a few hours of fun.

She was a devoted and loving Mother and Grandmother always making time and taking time to spend with her family. Her grandchildren adored her and looked up to the kind, sensitive and generous woman she was. Her family always came first. Lois was loved and respected by all who knew her.

Lois was very active in the Northside Garden Club, a member of the Red Hats club and a local sorority. For many years she played pinochle weekly with a group of friends. She was always on the go with an uncanny energy that seemed to never stop. All that knew her would agree she was our energizer bunny.

Lois is survived by her daughters, Shirley Newman of Klamath Falls, OR and Mary Schiefelbein of Bonanza, OR; sister, Betty Dreyer of Walnut Creek, CA; brothers, Gerald Hand of Salem, OR, Norman Hand of Wilsonville,OR and Ken Hand (Olive) of Klamath Falls, OR; her grandchildren, Wendy Rohrbacker (Richard) of Malin, OR, Ken Leppert Jr. (Nari) of Dallas, Texas, Heidi Cottingham (Lawrence) of Klamath Falls, Terry Cheyne Jr. (Sherrie) of Coos Bay, OR and Stacy Cheyne of Appleton, WI; Great Grandchildren Johnny Rohrbacker(Erin), Malin, OR, Lynsey Cummings (Nick) Dallas, TX, Abby Cottingham, Klamath Falls, OR, Connor Cottingham, Wilsall, MT, Shawna Houston (Matt), Coos Bay, OR, Chad Cheyne, Coos Bay, OR, Brian Allison, Appleton, WI, Sara Allison, Appleton, WI, Mason Painter, Mikaela Painter, Coos Bay, OR; and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren, as well as her beloved Grand-Dog Molly and many nieces and nephews.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Mildred Hand, her husband, Lawrence Gray, her son, Bob Glassley, brother, Delmar Hand, sister, Mildred Feiss.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 3:00 to 6:00pm. at the O’Hair Wards Funeral Chapel, 515 Pine Street, Klamath Falls, OR. Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 at O’Hair Wards Funeral Chapel, 515 Pine Street, Klamath Falls, OR, and will be officiated by Rev. Tate Crisp of Glad Tidings Worship Center.

Interment will follow the service at Mt. Laki Cemetery (Homedale Road and Cross Road). Immediately following there will be a celebration of life reception at Mia & Pia’s (3545 Summers Lane, Klamath Falls, OR.)

A memorial scholarship fund has been established in Lois’ name. In lieu of flowers you may send donations to Northside Garden Club, c/o Heidi Cottingham, 11821 Hwy 66, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.