Lois Mcfarlane

Lois E. Giles McFarlane was born in Nehawka, Nebraska on March 9, 1918 to Minnie Abbie Sheldon and Ernest Crawford Giles. She had one older brother, Russell Sheldon Giles and one younger sister, Eleanor Giles Schade. She died August 16, 2017 at New Haven Assisted Living in Schertz, TX at the age of 99.

Lois attended Nehawka High School in Nehawka, Nebraska from 1931 to 1932. She obtained her high school diploma from Plattsmouth High School in Plattsmouth, Nebraska where she attended from 1932 to 1935 and received a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln (1935-1939). She received her B.S. in Home Economics.

She continued her education at The Merrill-Palmer School in Detroit, Michigan and her M.A. in Education from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (1941-1942). She taught school in Nebraska and Michigan from 1939 to 1945. In 1945, she accepted a teaching position in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was there that she met John Spencer McFarlane. They were married November 5, 1947 in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.

John's work as a sugar beet geneticist with the USDA allowed them the opportunity to travel all over the world and develop friendships in many counties. They settled in Salinas, California where they lived together until John's death in November of 1994.

Lois was a long time member of the 1st Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Presbyterian Church English Handbell Choir for 14 years. This group played for many church and other civic community groups in Salinas and surrounding communities and participated in several regional festivals including those held in Tacoma, WA, Fresno, San Diego and Honolulu.

Lois was an artist with special interest in water colors and oils. Her paintings have been exhibited in several group shows.

Lois was well known for her sweet, kind heart, intelligence and generous spirit. She was a deeply religious person, attending church faithfully. Her faith was strong to the end, believing in all of God's promises. God granted Lois length of days and she used them well. She is survived by four nieces, one nephew, grand nieces and grand nephews and many of their children, also.

Lois requested a modest memorial service be held at Schertz Funeral Home and then to join her husband by having her ashes scattered at sea. The Memorial Service was held on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at 10:00am.

Her ashes will be scattered at sea on October 14, 2017 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. If you are planning to attend, please contact [email protected] for more information.

.