Lois Nelson DeLeon

Lois Nelson deLeon, 92, passed away April 12, 2008, at her adopted home in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
She was born Dec. 27, 1915, in Moline, Ill., to Arthur and Louise Knees Nelson. She marred Harry D. deLeon, Sept. 9, 1937, who became president of DeLeon-Thompson Inc., Industrial Distributors, and later was succeeded by his son, Creigh Nelson DeLeon, in that position. Harry deLeon also was a well-known local radio and television hunting and fishing personality in the 1950s to the 1970s, appearing with Orville "Porky" Myers on "Along the Outdoor Trails with Porky and Ponce." He died in 1997.
In Moline, she helped initiate the Lutheran Hospital Gift Shop with Verna Trevor and Buzz O'dell, was long-time historian for Elizabeth Jane Brashear Circle of King's Daughters, was a life member of Short Hills Country Club and a member of the 1934 Club and the Moline Area Republican Women's Club.
She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline.
Her grandfather, William Knees, was the first florist to bring orchids west of the Mississippi and was topiary artist for the Charles Deere and John Deere families. Knees Florist still operates in the Quad-Cities area. Since moving to Ruidoso in 1997 to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Charles Stallings, Lois deLeon was a strong supporter of the Humane Society of Lincoln County and the Federated Woman's Club of Ruidoso and was active with several bridge groups, including Cree Meadows Country Club. She was thankful for the many new friends who enriched her life in a new location after more than 80 years in Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry D. deLeon, her son, Creigh Nelson DeLeon, her siblings, William Nelson, Richard Nelson and Jack Nelson, and her parents.
She is survived by her daughter, Dianne L. Stallings and her husband Charles L. Stallings of Ruidoso; her daughter-in-law, Sarajane DeLeon Lorenzen and her husband Terry Lorenzen of Oro Valley, Ariz.; her grandchildren, Sara Katherine DeLeon Baily and her husband Quinton Baily of Chicago, Ill., and Jeffrey Creigh DeLeon of Eldridge, Iowa, Gabrielle Leandra Oldfield and her husband Bob Oldfield of Littleton, Colo., Rachael deLeon Collins and her husband Russell Collins of Larkspur. Colo., and Aaron Creighton Stallings and his wife Kaye Pooley Stallings of Naples, Fla.; 10 nieces and nephews; and nine great-grandchildren.
No services are planned. She will be interned next to her son and husband in Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island, Ill. In lieu of flowers, she may be remembered with donations to Arrowhead Ranch, 12200 104th St., Coal Valley, IL 61240, or the Humane Society of Lincoln County, Humane Society, P.O. Box 2832, Ruidoso, NM 88355.