Lois J. Papesh

Lois J. Papesh passed away at the age of 94 on December 16, 2018.  Lois was born in Oshkosh, WI on August 21,1924, the daughter of William E. Chandler and Mildred (Hutchins) Chandler.  She graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1942 and the University of Wisconsin in 1946 with a B.S. in Sociology. She came to Beloit, WI to work as “Y Team Director” for the YWCA.

Lois met and married her husband Michael L. Papesh who was employed by the Beloit Corporation. Together they took great joy in raising three children:  Steven, Christine and Alan, all of whom graduated from Beloit Memorial High School and their respective colleges.

Over the years Lois was active in the First United Methodist Church, now “The River of Life UMC”, Meals on Wheels, Beloit Symphony Guild, and the Beloit Historical Society. She was a Cub Scout den leader and a room mother at Todd School for many years and served on the YWCA Board.

After her husband’s death in 1975, she and three friends formed the Maple Roost Antique Shop. They spent many hours going to auctions, flea markets, and estate sales for close to twenty years.

Lois was an avid bridge player.  She enjoyed reading, traveling, decorating and gardening.  She maintained her husband’s rose garden and took first place in the single rose category at the First National Bank flower show in 1975, and always took great pride in her home and gardens.  Lois lived at Riverside Terrace for the past several years.  She especially enjoyed book club, water color painting, art history and friendships with many residents and staff.  The family would like to thank the staff at Riverside Terrace for all they have done.

Survivors include her children, Steven (Gail) Papesh of Roscoe, IL, Christine (Kevin) O’Neil of Minneapolis, MN, and Alan (Cheryl) Papesh of Portland, OR; three grandchildren, Kara (Shawn) Anderson, Kelly (Bryan) Hobbs and Kayla Schmidt; four great grandchildren, Owen and Ellery Anderson and Wyatt and Bowie Hobbs; sister-in-law, Audrey Chandler of Oshkosh, WI and many special nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband Michael, and brother Roger Chandler.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday January 5,2019 at the River of Life United Methodist Church, 2375 Prairie Ave., Beloit, WI with Pastor David Carlson officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of servie in the Church. Inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Beloit, WI.  Memorials may be given in Lois’ memory to River of Life United Methodist Church 2375 Prairie Ave., Beloit WI, 535ll and to Beloit Historical Society, 845 Hackett St. Beloit, 53511.  Please share a memory or a condolence with the Papesh family on our website.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.