Lois Jean Jernstrom

1929 - 2022

Long-time Santa Cruz resident, Lois Jernstrom, died in her home surrounded by family and friends August 16,2022, she was 93 years old. Born and raised in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Lois shone as a child playing the piano and violin as well as singing and dancing – including tap dancing. She shared her talents as member of a group of young girls who sang on a weekly radio program and later in high school, by playing piano for her weekly Church Youth Group. She was also an enthusiastic cheerleader who in her senior year became head of her cheer Group and took great pride in relating to family members how she would lead the local high School down Main Street for the annual Fourth of July Parade. After high school, following in her mother's footsteps, Lois went to Jefferson Nursing School in Philadelphia, and after graduating, worked in a tuberculosis ward and then as a private duty nurse. It was during her senior year in nursing school, that she met a dashing young medical student, Charles Jernstrom, and after he graduated from medical school they were married, eventually ending up in Carmel, CA. In 1954, they moved to Santa Cruz when Chuck joined a group of doctors to form Santa Cruz Medical Clinic. The ensuing years saw Lois partnering with Chuck to raise their family which included three children, Kurt, Scot and Kara. During these years Lois provided loving nurture and steady guidance, bestowing on her family her kind, supportive and unyielding spirit, organizing and sharing in many memorable family experiences. After the children left the house, Lois had more time to develop and pursue some of her interests. She was an avid collector of antiques, dolls, and sports memorabilia. She loved sports especially basketball and baseball and was a diehard Warriors fan and was keenly knowledgeable of the sport and players. She and Chuck also enjoyed traveling together, visiting children and grandchildren and relatives in Oregon, California and the East Coast, touring some of the National Parks and enjoying the trip of a lifetime to Sweden. Lois leaves behind a legacy of love that continues through the lives of family, friends, and community with whom she shared herself unconditionally. Lois is survived by her three children and their spouses, Kurt (spouse Mary), Scot (spouse Lisa), Kara (spouse Wade), grandchildren, Jeff, Amanda, Russell, Erik, Avery, Cody, Jonelle, great- grandchildren, Braxton, Teddy, Sonny, Flossie.Memorial gifts in Lois' memory may be made to Palo Alto Medical Foundation (c/o PAMF, Attn: Philanthropy, 2025 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95065 or www.pamf.org/giving); Dominican Hospital Foundation (1555 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95065 or www.supportdominican.org); Hospice of Santa Cruz County (940 Disc Drive Scotts Valley, CA or www.hospicesantacruz.org); To express your condolences or to share a remembrance with Lois' family please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com or send cards or letters to Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062.