Lois Ravert died Friday, July 10, in the company of her children, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren. As family and friends were her life, she likely believed she was at another party at the time of her death at Box Butte General Hospital. She was almost 97 years old.
Lois Joan (Jesse) Ravert was born in Alliance July 14, 1929, to Frank Samuel Jesse and Bess Moss (Jones) Jesse. She was the third of five children. Her siblings: Lester S. Jesse, Eleanor Mae Dill, Elizabeth, and Frank Robert preceded her in death.
She graduated from Alliance High School in 1947. She worked as a secretary at Franklin Supply, which supplied animal vaccines to farmers and ranchers.
When she was 21, Lois met a sharp young man from Dalton, Nebraska. She married this handsome man, Vern Edgar Ravert October 22, 1950. Vern died in February 2005.
For the more than 50 years of their marriage they built a ranch, raised their children Debra and Randal, and embedded themselves as valuable community members of the Alliance community and Sandhills ranching network.
In semi-retirement the couple along with Lois’ sister Eleanor and her husband Tom Dill traveled often to Branson, Missouri, as well as other places in the southern and mid-western United States.
Lois and Eleanor gained a reputation as “the sisters” and remained close friends throughout their lives. When they were both residents of Highland Park Assisted Living, the duo provided comic relief to family members, friends, staff, and anyone else who wanted to hear. They would re-live their fondest memories. Some of those were when Lois would throw dolls down the stairs of her parents’ house when she was young and when Vern taught Lois how to drive – he kept the passenger side car door open so he could jump out in the event of an emergency.
One of Lois’ favorite activities was shopping and Eleanor was a willing accomplice. It was impossible to keep up with them in each store as they walked each aisle separately and then together. Cheyenne and Scottsbluff were their favorite shopping destinations.
Her other favorite activity was anything that involved her family, friends, neighbors, or anyone else who stopped to visit. She always had freshly-baked cookies, juice, and wisdom to offer. Any opportunity to host people was acceptable – from feeding people after brandings to celebrating holidays – Lois was in her element. Her gift giving skill was legendary as she always had a present for you when you visited. When the grandchildren stayed for any length of time, her box of dress up clothes was at the ready and included satin dresses and polka-dotted shoes that were worn regularly.
Lois was a 52-year member of the Alliance Eagles Auxiliary and the United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her daughter Debra and Rodney Funk of Bridgeport, and son Randal and Toni Ravert of rural Alliance.
She had six grandchildren and considered their spouses her own. They are Robyn Funk and Norman Brethouwer of Montrose, Colorado; Jody Funk and Miranda Larsen-Funk of Lakewood, Colorado; Clayton and Joyce Johnson of Broken Bow; Dustin and Michelle Johnson of Temple, Texas; Shane and Ashley Ravert of Brule; and Derek and Meranda Ravert of Alliance.
Her bonus grandchildren were Staci and Ron James of Colorado, and Ryan and Denver Watkins of Texas.
The 16 great-grandchildren are Hadley, Lane, Kristyn, Whitney, Clayton Jr., Mitchell, Brooklyn, Dennien, Peyton, Traeven, Kensely, Brexley, Chloe, Ethan, Clay, and Maggie.
In addition, five great-great-grandchildren include Oliver, Roan, Isadora, Knox, and Zeppelin.
A memorial service will be Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church at 704 Box Butte Avenue in Alliance. Family visitation will begin at 10 a.m.
Memorials may be designated for the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department and Highland Park Assisted Living.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.