Lois Belle Christie

Lois Belle Shinn Christie departed this life on October 31, 2025, living 98 years and twenty-one days. She was born on October 10, 1927, in Moscow, Kansas, to Louis Thomas Shinn and Dora Alta (Loges) Shinn. Lois attended grade school in Moscow, Kansas; Wickenburg, Arizona; Pritchett, Colorado; and high school in Springfield, Colorado. When Lois was thirteen, she chose to follow Christ and was baptized in Springfield at the First Christian Church. She was known for her belief in Christian principals and was a devout prayer warrior, having a common-sense attitude toward life.

Being a devoted telephone operator for forty-two and one-half years, Lois worked for Mountain States Telephone Company, Mountain Bell, and finally AT&T. She began her career in the Springfield phone office and was later transferred to Lamar. Denver became her destination home as the Rocky Mountains lured Lois to her place of retirement as an operator.

Lois married Mack (Mick) Beverly Christie (fondly known as Uncle Mick) on October 29, 1944, in Boise City, Oklahoma. Five years later, in 1949, Lois was baptized for a second time alongside Mick. Mick was employed as a chef by occupation and was also a volunteer firefighter. It was in Denver where they purchased a new home to live out their married life. He preceded her in death on January 5, 2004, after more than 59 years of a blissful marriage.

Mick and Lois took care of business, preparing for their future, whether personal, financial, or spiritual. They enjoyed visiting family and traveling. They managed to tour forty-nine of our fifty states, Alaska being the exception. Most important to Lois and Mick, the church and Christian Missions could rely on Mick and Lois for their giving and tithing efforts.

An avid Broncos fan, watching the Denver Broncos games on TV was important to Lois, happy when her team won, and not so happy when the Broncos lost. She thoroughly understood the rules and nuances of the game and could call out Bronco players by name and statistics. At times, when in a phone conversation with Lois, she wanted to keep the calling party on the line, all the while, being engaged watching a Broncos game. One could then hear her cheers and excitement.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mick; father, Louis Thomas Shinn; mother, Dora Alta (Loges) Shinn; oldest sister, Lillie Shinn Miller (Ray) of Moscow, Kansas; sister, Violet Shinn Bonewell (Carlos) of Leadville, Colorado; nephews: Lynn Miller of Melbourne, Florida (Judy Hadsell); Roger Bonewell (Nola Epperson) of Leadville, Colorado; and Rodney Bonewell (Rosa Dagoy) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; five brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. Lois is survived by her nephews, Darrel Miller (Marilyn Young), Scott City, Kansas; Kenneth Miller (LaVerne Van Kooten), Wellington, Kansas; George Miller (Ingalill Engstrom), Angelholm, Sweden; niece Linda Bonewell Cook (Michael), Canon City, Colorado; great nephews: Tim Miller (Rebecca), Chris Miller (Shelley), Ryan Miller (Erin), Darin Miller (Rosalind), Tracy Cook, Thomas Bonewell (Christina); great nieces: Lea (Bonewell) Hayes (Mark), Brenda Bonewell, Carla (Cook) Braddy, Sheila Nicole (Bonewell) Popwell (Lee); second great nephews: Trenton (Audrey) Braddy, Shane Cook, Levi Miller, Noah Miller, Chance Bonewell, Jamison Popwell; second great nieces: Jadea Braddy, Breana Cook, Lillian Miller; third great nephews: Cade Cook, Karter Gomez, Kenny Gomez, Thompson Braddy; and third great niece, Kyrah Gomez.

A graveside service in honor of Lois is scheduled for November 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., Springfield, Colorado Cemetery. Maltbie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established with The Red Rocks Baptist Church, 14711 West Morrison Road, Morrison, Colorado; 303-922-8301.