Lois Michael

Lois Chisholm Michael

November 2, 1922 - May 17, 2017

After a brief illness, Lois Chisholm Michael passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow, Idaho. She was born in Louisiana on November 2, 1922, delivered by her uncle/physician, but grew up on a farm in Stanton, Texas. She fell in love and married her ambitious, handsome neighbor/farmer, Dayton Earl Chisholm, in 1939. In 1950, Lois and Dayton moved with their two small children to South Dakota where they owned a wheat and cattle ranch nearly 45 years near Mission Ridge. The work was hard: they did not have electricity for their first five years, but with a true home-steading spirit, they prospered. Dayton got his private pilots license and flying became an important part of their ranching operation and their life. Soon after, Lois became a pilot as well. They became active in the International Flying Farmers & Ranchers organization and traveled the world for IFFR events and made life-long friendships. They were also active and faithful in the Baptist churches in Pierre, South Dakota, and Sun City West, Arizona, where they wintered for many years. Dayton passed away in 1985 and Lois continued to manage the ranch and spend winters in Sun City West, Arizona. In Arizona, she met and married her retired, handsome banker/neighbor, George Louis Michael in 1991. She loved being part of the Michael family. Lois sold the South Dakota ranch in 1994 so was able to devote more time to her volunteer activities in Arizona and George's native Minneapolis: Habitat for Humanity, The Symphony Guild, Sun Heath Board of Directors, etc. She organized numerous mentoring activities and scholarships for children and people in need. Lois and George eventually settled in Minneapolis year-round until George passed away in 2015. Lois then moved to the Palouse to be near her daughter, Jan Martin. Lois was an inspiration to all with her graciousness and generosity. She excelled in any endeavor she put her hand to - cooking, sewing, quilting, flying, shopping, gardening, etc. Most important to Lois was her faith, family, and friends. These were her treasures. She will live on in our hearts as an example of a life lived with grace. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry Louis McKaskle and Nannie (Goodwin) McKaskle; her siblings Louis McKaskle, John McKaskle, and Mary Ellen (McKaskle) Stroope; husbands Dayton Earl Chisholm and George Louis Michael; an infant son as well as her son Daniel Wesley Chisholm; and many beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She is survived by daughter Janet Martin (Neil) of Moscow, ID; bonus daughter Kay Miller (Marc Temple) of Fargo, ND; step-sons Lou Michael of Alexandria, VA, and David Michael (Kathy) of Edina, MN; grandchildren Marie Duncan (Dave) of Oak Hill, VA; Sara Lawrence (Torrey) of Viola, ID; Andrew Martin of St. Paul, MN; Ben Martin (Becky) of Bothell, WA; step-grandchildren Becky Waters of Edina, MN and Emily Neal (Jason) of Chicago, IL; great grandchildren Sarah, Lauren, Grace, Abby, Jacob, Thomas, Jane, Ryan, Aiden, Linnea, Vivienne, and Lilly. A visitation will be held at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, May 22, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Moscow, Idaho, with refreshments to follow. A second service will be held at Isburg Funeral Home in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, at 1:00pm on Saturday, May 27. She will be buried in Ft. Pierre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool in Moscow or the Janet Chisholm Martin Scholarship through the Gritman Medical Center Foundation in Moscow. Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com