Lois May Beno, 93

Lois Beno, 93, passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene. She was born Sept. 16, 1922, to Harold and Clara Utz in Casper, Wyo.

Lois and her younger sister, Mary McClellan, moved with their mother to Southern California at age 10. Even though these were Depression years, Lois and her sister grew into happy young adults. Their mother’s second marriage to Ed Dahlgren was greatly responsible for the happiness and stability they enjoyed as teens. The family eventually settled in Bellflower, Calif., where Lois graduated from high school and went on to attend Business College.

At the age of 19, Lois married 2nd Lt. Kenneth Beno on May 29, 1942, in Bakersfield, Calif. After surviving many combat missions during World War II, Kenneth chose to make the United States Air Force his career. For the next 27 years, Lois wore out many a suitcase following her husband to spots around the globe. Throughout their airbase hopping years, Lois excelled in her chosen career as housewife and mom to her four children; Kenny, Mary Ann, Carol Lee and Cheryl Jean.

By 1959, Lois and family had crisscrossed the United States multiple times with stops from the southern border of California to the far reaches of Maine. It was at this time that their incredible whistle-stop journey was traded for permanence. Kenneth retired after his Guam tour and moved into the one and only home Lois and Kenneth ever built, in El Paso, Texas.

It took 46 years before Lois once again hungered to move. In 2005, after the passing of her beloved husband of 53 years, she relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Lois followed in the footsteps of two of her children, Kenny and Mary Ann, who had recently moved to this beautiful region. Although in her 80s, with a growing number of health issues, Lois was determined to fully partake in all that the Idaho outdoors has to offer. Even when deemed legally blind, Lois relished trying new things such as climbing aboard a snowmobile or parasailing over Lake Coeur d’Alene.

However, what Lois relished most was the legacy she left: her loving family. In addition to her four children, Lois had seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Lois was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Kenneth. She is survived by her son, Kenny Beno and wife Sherry; and her daughters, Mary Ann Herston and husband David, Carol Lee Kelly and husband Mike, and Cheryl Elliott and husband Phil. Also to be included are grandchildren, Richard Herston, Heather Painter, Erin Miller, Philip Elliott, Lacey Appleton, Christine Duncan and Irish Jordan. Among the great-grandchildren are Katey Hill, Casey Hill, Olivia Miller, Brooke Painter, Jake Painter, Logan Elliott, Nora Elliott, Calvin Elliott, Madison Jordan and Adelaide Appleton; and one great-great-grandchild, Kendrick Hill.

The Beno Family asks that any memorial contributions be made to St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, Father Bill’s Kitchen, 201 E. Harrison, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. At Lois’ request, a memorial service will be held at a date to be announced in late spring.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Lois’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.