Lois Leu

Lois Leu
Jan. 29, 1930 - May 28, 2011

Born Lois Mae Halverson in rural Gregory County, South Dakota at the onset of the Great Depression, she grew up tough, honest, dignified and loving. Lois and her twin sister Elaine were the seventh and sixth of eight children on the farm. People around Bonesteel didn't know they were poor. Good memories of her childhood.
She moved to Seattle after WWII and worked at "the phone company" and as a waitress in Magnolia. One regular customer from the nearby Great Northern Railway never left a tip, and she ended up marrying him. Bill and Lois Leu set up house in Edmonds and were together for a half century, until his death in 2003. They had a daughter and a son. Great friends, great neighborhood, great times.
Lois is survived by daughter, Brenda Leu-Carriere; son, Bob Leu (wife Kazue); as well as granddaughter and close friend, Dana Elaine Carriere. She also leaves behind other friends, many nieces and nephews, and her sister, Elaine Hoffman (husband Ted) of Denver, CO. There is a special bond between twins. Between them it was more than special.
Lois was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters.
Lois was a teacher's aide at Esperance Elementary and later turned her gift of caring for people into her work as a CNA. The focus of her life was her family, and she gave and received unconditional love. What she didn't understand she tolerated.
She was the type of person you want around you. Good. Strong. Hard worker. Dry sense of humor. An uncommon amount of common sense. Knowing right from wrong. Intense loyalty.
With her loving "kids" on her final day she watched a marvelous Seattle rainbow, as well as her beloved Mariners defeat the Yankees.
Going back to 1963, she beat cancer four times, with the final score being 4-1. Her family thanks her oncologist Dr. Sam Tolman for his work, Dr. Keith Luther for helping her through multiple maladies over the years, and Dr. Mark Raney for an intervention just in time to give her a valuable 81st year. She used it well. Nurses and CNA's at Northwest Hospital displayed exceptional professionalism and compassion. They asked for schedule changes to be with her at the end.
Instead of flowers, please call and old friend and take a loved one to lunch. Leave a tip.
Funeral services are today, Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Rd, Lynnwood, WA with viewing from 9 a.m. until service time. A reception will follow in the hospitality room there.