Lois Darlene Houston

Lois Darlene Houston, age 86, a resident of rural Richards, passed away Saturday, May 20, at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo. She was born Dec. 14, 1930, in Enid, Okla., the daughter of William Burton “Burt” Cooper and Ruth Rudd Cooper. Lois graduated from the Richards High School and attended Ft. Scott Junior College. She first married Ivan Ater in 1949. They divorced. She later married Wayne Houston on July 20, 1981, at Ft. Scott. Lois had worked for many years as a claims adjuster and as an underwriter for the Western Insurance which later became American States Insurance. In earlier years, she enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She as an excellent cook and will be remembered for her wonderful homemade pies. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of the home; three sons, Ron Ater of Olathe, Kan., Tim Ater and wife, Pam, of Nevada, and Gregory D. Houston and wife, Linda, of Richards; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Gary Houston; three brothers, Tom, Jay and Herb Cooper; and a sister, Carrie Lawson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 25, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Community of Christ Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.