Lois Virginia WILK

1933 - 2022

Joined the Lord on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the age of 88. Born to Howard and Doris Kaecher in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Dec. 3, 1933. Lois was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Lois was preceded in death by her husband John ""Jack"" Wilk of 67 years and sister Davalyn DeGenaro. Left to cherish her memory are her son Sen. Scott Wilk (Vanessa), daughters Marian Gibbs (David) and Janice Spainhower (Scott), grandchildren Scott Wilk, Jr. (Brooke), Alison Hicks (Matt), Jack Spainhower and Lauren Spainhower and great-grandchild Ezekiel Hicks. Lois loved and dedicated her life to God, her family and friends that enriched her life.
Lois grew up in Pittsburgh and worked at Mellon National Bank in the Trust Department. After meeting each other at a local dance hall in 1952, Lois married Jack Wilk on Jan. 14, 1954 at Fairhaven United Methodist Church. Upon Jack's return from the Korean War, they moved to Dover, Del. to complete Jack's enlistment. In 1956, they bought a 30-foot travel trailer and drove across the country to California, where they settled in Lancaster. Lois worked for Security Pacific Bank as a bookkeeper until her first child was born. In 1976, she began working at Lancaster United Methodist Church as the parish caller, which she thoroughly enjoyed during her six-year tenure. In 1981, Lois joined Jack Fry Travel as an outside sales representative in cruise ship sailings. In 1984, at the age of 51, she ventured out on her own to build a successful travel agency named Odyssey Cruises. Lois traveled to more than 110 countries, countless cities and many wonders of the world. In 1998, Lois semi-retired by selling her business to Jack Fry Travel, where she worked on a part-time basis until her retirement in 2015.
Full-time retirement never slowed Lois down. She was an active member of her church, where she served on numerous committees. As a member of the Antelope Valley Writers Association, Lois wrote several short stories, which were published in an anthology series. In 2016, at the age of 82, Lois published "All Aboard – Let's Sail", which chronicled her adventures on the high seas. As her greatest writing accomplishment, this book sold out within a few months of its publication.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the United Methodist Church, 918 West Ave. J, Lancaster, Calif. 93534. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Organ Fund at Lancaster United Methodist Church in honor of Lois Wilk.