Lois Jean Brown

Lois Jean Brown, age 81, of Kalispell, Montana passed peacefully Thursday, October 18th, 2018 at Bee Hive Homes of Kalispell. She was born on January 27, 1937 in Missoula, Montana, where she attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School and Sacred Heart Academy High School. Lois played sousaphone in the band and held many leadership roles, including serving as class president. She was actively involved in Girl Scouts and 4-H during her youth and took many prizes at the county fair, as well as winning a Singer sewing machine for her sewing skills in the Make It With Wool Competition. Lois enjoyed art, writing, reading, singing, dancing, bowling, and playing softball.

Lois graduated from Columbus School of Nursing and was licensed as a registered nurse for over 50 years. She was a kind, generous woman who provided compassionate care for many and she was especially known for her work as a pioneer in rural emergency medical services. Beyond being a wonderful mother to six children, Lois was incredibly gifted, ambitious, and intelligent. While raising her family and working as an emergency room nurse, she managed to serve as an EMT and a CPR instructor, as well as working tirelessly to obtain grants to develop the Quick Response Unit concept for rural areas. She was the first person called in an emergency situation to stabilize victims of motor vehicle accidents, gunshots, or ranching accidents, and she often worked alone until the ambulance arrived. Her Suburban was equipped with oxygen, stretchers, and the Jaws of Life, along with a full bar of lights, which was a huge benefit when she came looking for the boys after curfew, as she was very easy to spot, giving them time to sneak back home using the back routes. Lois was the first woman on the local volunteer fire department and she became a certified fire training instructor, receiving specialized training in bomb scene investigation and fire and arson detection training at the National Fire Academy.

Our house served as a small town version of the Boys and Girls Club and there were usually many additional children playing pool or ping pong in the basement and staying for one of her wonderful meals. Cooking and baking were favorite activities and she opened her home to many people over the years, especially during the holidays, because she wanted to make sure everyone had a place to go. She delighted in bringing people together for a cup of coffee or to celebrate special occasions, when she would share her incredible decorated cakes. Entertaining brought Lois great pleasure and she had fun playing Bingo, pinochle, cribbage, and other card games with friends and neighbors.

As a child, Lois liked spending time on the family farm in Frenchtown and she had fond memories of her time with relatives. Animals also had a special place in her heart and she adopted many dogs and other pets during her lifetime. Lois always relished her time in the country and appreciated opportunities to travel, often taking long drives to see the wildlife and other sights. Her love of nature greatly influenced her life and her creative pursuits. She was a very talented artist in a variety of mediums, and particularly enjoyed painting, sculpture, and calligraphy.

Above all, Lois cherished her family and precious time spent together. She was blessed with three grandchildren who brought great joy to her life. Lois is survived by her children Cindy Duley (Carl), Tim Chase (Jennifer), Terry Chase, Thom Chase, Ted Chase (Mara), and Toby Chase, her three grandsons Christopher, Lucas, and Taeo, sister Rose Marie McGrath, nephew David Patterson (Sheila), and niece Debbie Patterson. Lois was preceded in death by her father Victor Lindberg, mother Louise Williams, step-father Maurice Williams, and two infant brothers.

Her family would like to express appreciation to the dedicated staff at Bee Hive Homes for the impeccable and tender loving care provided during the last few years of her life.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service of Kalispell is caring for Lois and her family.

A family graveside service will be held at the New St. Mary’s Cemetery in Missoula.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lois Jean Brown, please visit our floral store.