Lois Elaine Roberson

1937 - 2025

Lois Elaine Roberson

April 29, 1937 - July 28, 2025

Kennewick, Washington - Lois Elaine (Deines) Roberson, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin and friend passed away July 28, 2025, Born in Yoder WY. to Ismael (Ike) and Clara Deines on April 29, 1937. Lois moved to Kennewick at the age of 3 ½ and lived in Kennewick for most of her life, graduating from Kennewick High School in1955. She married Robert Jahnel in 1958 and moved to Colorado Springs, where she experienced the birth and loss of her infant son Troy in 1961, the birth of her daughter Mary in 1963, and then the passing of her husband in 1964. She returned to Kennewick upon his death; despite these hardships, she remained resilient. In 1966, Lois married Doyal Roberson, her son Michael was born in 1968, they divorced in 1972.

Lois worked for Kennewick General Hospital, GTE, finally retiring from Hanford as a telephone operator in 2002. In 1977 Lois met her longtime companion Donavan Harter, Don and Lois enjoyed their combined families and grandchildren. Their grandkids were their greatest joy. Don and Lois had many traveling adventures, camping and visiting friends and family around the country. Don passed away in 2009.

Many of the greatest times were spent with Lois in her kitchen, making something wonderful to share with family, friends or both. Lois was an artist, whether crocheting a blanket, painting a picture or baking a pie, her shared art and recipes will forever be held dearly as treasures. Lois's love of life was always present; she had the best sense of humor and was a great storyteller. In the last several years, Lois would start each day finding a new joke then calling her 3 sisters to tell them the joke of the day and check in. She was the resident communicator; she updated all the distant relatives with any news from here and passed along any updates from them. She was always sharing and enjoying those connections. Lois was proceeded in death by her son Troy Jahnel, her husband Robert Jahnel, her partner Donavan Harter, her parents Ike and Clara Deines, her brothers Jim and Don Deines and her sister Edna Baum, she is survived by her sisters Shirley Pierce and Billie Lantzer, her daughter Mary (Michael) Davis, her Son Michael Roberson, Grandchildren: Amanda (Brandon) Turley, Kylean Roberson, Tyler Roberson, Ryley Roberson, Great-grandchildren; Alexa Sanchez, Xander Sanchez, Novah Roberson and many nieces and nephews; Lois was Grandma to many more whether related or not and she held each one dearly in her heart. We miss you.

A remembrance celebration will be held on November 1, 2025, at the Kennewick Grange, 2611 S. Washington St. Kennewick, WA 99337 from 12:00pm-3:00pm.