Lois Charlotta Reinert McCracken was born April 3, 1928, to Andrew Caleb & Fern Muriel Frost Reinert on the family homestead between Towner and Holly in Colorado. 

She was the oldest of four children with 2 younger brothers, Earl Raymond and Elden August, and a younger sister, Weltha Fern.  Lois was named after her Grandmother Charlotte Reinert. 

Lois met her husband Douglas Wirley McCracken while he was driving the school bus for the Towner School District. Lois graduated in 1947 from Towner High School and was 19 when she and Doug, 24, got married at her parents’ home on October 4, 1949. That was also Doug's birthday. They had 3 children: Darrel Ray, Nancy Lois and Andrew Douglas, and 6 grandchildren: Melinda Wallick, Jennifer Walker, Brandon Walker, Andrew McCracken, Tyler McCracken and Shealynn McCracken plus eleven great-grandchildren and one on the way, for an even dozen. 

Lois' life was a mixture of hardships and joy. The Depression, the blizzard on March 26, 1931, the Pleasant Hill School Bus Tragedy, three wars and assorted military conflicts and the birth and death of their first child Darrel Ray. 

Her life was not all tragedy.  She loved to dote on all of her nieces and nephews and made sure she knew everything going on with each and every one, watching her grandchildren grow, sharing in their tough and joyful times and making sure Nancy and Andrew had their daily dose of Motherly advice.  She always thought about her grandsons on the road, was always interested in Shealynn and her job or Jenny and her animals or Melinda and Mister Ben and everything in Colorado Springs. When Brandon was in the military she was concerned about his safety and where he was.

She loved us all dearly. 

She adored her sister-in laws and brother-in-law. She hung on every word of advice from her brothers, Earl and Elden. She was a large supporter of the Rebekah and Oddfellow lodges and a member the United Methodist Church for 60 years. 

There was a lot of fun in her life, too. Camping at the lakes and mountains in Wyoming and Montana, family reunions, meeting new people while selling Fuller Brush and working at the Donut Shop. A new adventure was being interviewed for a television special about the Pleasant Hill Bus Tragedy. She told me she was glad to give her side of the story. Family, Friends, Church and Community. All held a special place in her heart.

Mom passed away Friday, February 5, 2016 at 2:15pm and there was a Great reunion when she met Jesus face to face. I think He placed his arm around her shoulders and said, "Welcome Home". Right behind him were all those who had gone before, waiting to greet her.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Douglas McCracken, her parents, her son: Darrel Ray McCracken, parents: Andrew and Fern Frost Reinert, one sister and two brothers, her son-in-law: Robert Walker, mother and father in law, 3 brother-in-laws, 1 niece, and 1 sister and brother-in-law.

Lois is survived by children Nancy Walker, and Andrew (Kathy) McCracken, both of Eads, plus her grandchildren and their spouses Melinda (Jason) Walker Wallick, Jennifer Walker (Larry Barnes), Brandon (Amanda) Walker, A.J. (Ciara) McCracken, Tyler McCracken (Morgan Blodgett), and Shealynn McCracken, plus her great grandchildren Xavier Walker, Brooke Bassett, Jessica Bassett, Breanna Seybold, Matthew Seybold, J.W. McCracken, Cally McCracken, Brantley McCracken, Kielen McCracken,  Braydyn Mattot McCracken plus sisters-in-laws Glendoris and Mary Reinert, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Funeral services were February 10, 2016 at the United Methodist Church, Rev. Claire Cassell officiating.  Final committal services were held at the Eads Cemetery. Friends and family can register and sign the guestbook at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com.

Visitation and funeral services were entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home in Eads. 

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