LOIS E. HOUCHIN

Lois E. Houchin, 77, of Springdale, Ark., went to her heavenly reward on June 23, 2008. She left this life peacefully with the love of her children all around her. Lois now walks in the gardens of our blessed Lord.

Lois was welcomed into the family of Albert and Addie Acox on October 5, 1930 in Fort Scott, Kan. Lois was three years old when her father, mother, and two older sisters, moved to Wichita, Kan. Lois lived and was educated in Wichita. She was an honor graduate of North High School in 1948. Lois was looking towards the future when she enrolled at Wichita University; nevertheless a blind date and the sharp sting of Cupid's arrow took her life on a different course. Lois was introduced to a young vet newly discharged after World War II, Gene Houchin. Lois and Gene were married on May 28, 1949. The little family of two became three on December 25, 1951, when Martha made her entrance into the world, David followed on November 21, 1953, and then a little whoops appeared; Nancy, on June 4, 1957.

Gene and Lois relocated to Springdale, Arkan., in 1964, to pursue the dream of a brighter future for their family by opening their own business, Gene's Daylight Donut Shop. Gene and Lois, with the help of their children, succeeded in keeping Gene's Daylight Donut Shop a fixture on the Springdale landscape for 23 years. Lois became known for her artistic flair with wedding cakes. Lois was fooled by her children with an order for a 25th anniversary celebration. After 23 years, Gene and Lois took off aprons to settle into retirement. They traveled and enjoyed life with their children and grandchildren.

Lois may have been small in stature, but she was a force of nature to be reckoned with. She was a spunky little bit of a woman that left quite a mark in the hearts of her children and anyone who came to know her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, on May 20, 2006, her mother and father, and her two sisters. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Jim Farriester of Springdale, son and daughter-in-law, David and Carol Houchin of Springdale, daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Alvis Dickerson of Springdale, grandson and wife, Joey Farriester and Kristy Tweden of Belgrade, Mont., grandson and partner, Andy Farriester and Russell Durrant of San Francisco, Calif., grandson, Casey Cutler of Okinawa, Japan, grandson, Jeremy Houchin of Springdale. Lois loved her family with all her heart and the newest light in her life was her great-granddaughter, Nellie Rose Farriester of Belgrade, Mont.

Graveside services and burial will be on Friday, June 27, at 2:30 p.m., at the Fort Scott National Cemetery, in Fort Scott, Kan. Family and friends may meet at the Cheney Witt Chapel prior to leaving for the cemetery at 2:15 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of sympathy may be e-mailed to the family at condolences@cheneywitt.com.