Lois Marie Brindley, age 91, passed peacefully with a nurse holding her hand at Medilodge of Sterling on Friday, February 24, 2023, shortly before midnight after a fall resulting in a fractured hip on December 28, 2022.
She conquered many hurdles in her life with cancer twice, heart issues with many trips to the E.R. even in other states while on vacation. In 2016, she broke her ribs in a golf cart accident when Diesel the dog accidently stepped on the gas pedal.
Lois was a devoted wife, and loving mom, grandma and great grandma and caring aunt.
Lois was born in Dearborn, MI to H. Russell and R. May Baldwin, October 3, 1931. The family moved to Prescott after purchasing a farm. Lois did chores before she went to school. She helped raise the cattle, her horse, and chickens, and helped at hay season.
After graduating from West Branch High School in 1950, she worked as a telephone operator in West Branch. One day after work, Alfred Thorn introduced Lois to Donald K. Brindley from Lupton. Don asked Lois if she’d like to go have some ice cream…fast forward to August 13, 1955, when they got married at the Trinity Episcopal Church in West Branch.
They raised 4 children in the home they built in 1963. Don built a turf runway behind the house, and they spent weekends together flying their plane to dawn patrols, going to Cedar Point taking the kids or visiting family in the Davison and Linden area.
Lois was member of the Trinity Episcopal Church as a Sunday school teacher in her younger years. Her father, Russell, helped build the new church which was finished in 1968.
Lois enjoyed sewing, making lots of clothes for her children. She did ceramics for many years, baking, cross stitch, and recently to pass her time did Diamond-Dots, which she made for her kids and grandchildren. She did them right up until she fell.
They snowmobiled with the neighbors and had cookouts in the snow. There was a fun competition between their Ski-Doo and the neighbors Artic Cats, as to which could conquer the steepest hill on the trails they rode.
Lois and Don spent many summers camping with their motorcycles with Florine and Kelly Antcliff, Lloyd and Lil Rabidue, and sometimes the kids would join and go along on their bikes too.
Then it was on to camping in a fifth wheel with their kids taking their campers too. They camped all over Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and throughout Michigan. Sometimes the grandchild came along as well.
Her and Don were members of the Pioneer Power Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club. Lois loved the comradery there during show time, they camped on their lot. The family would all come to the show and have a cookout at the camper. She helped in the kitchen and sold raffle tickets.
Up until this recent winter, Lois enjoyed taking the golf cart out to get the mail or go eat at the neighbors.
Predeceasing Lois besides her parents and husband was brother, George L Baldwin, and sister Ruth B Baldwin.
Those left to hold on to the precious memories are daughters Marie (Richard) Gibson, Yvonne (Bob) Hittle, and Nannette (Joe) Hoffman; son Troy (Paula) Brindley; grandchildren Natasha Ackler & Stacy Houghtaling, Lance (Jessica) Beyerle, Cody Brindley, Courtney (Mike) Cullen, Morgan (Alex) Heldenbrand, Lorna Hoffman, Jovie Hoffman, Leslie (Trenten) Barr, and Kara (Tyler) Hittle; 9 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews including close niece Lisa Wolcott-Bentley. Lastly, she leaves behind her cat “Kitty” who adored her. Lois and Don captured Kitty as a kitten who was all alone in the tall grass out in the field. She will go with a family member.
Lois will be cremated per her wishes. A graveside service will be held at a later date.
Any donations can be made to your choice of pet rescues or shelters in her memory.
Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI. www.steuernolmclaren.com
