Lois Yvonne Stenquist Curtis, born November 29, 1921, passed away on April 28, 2015. Lois lived a long and very prosperous life. Born in Glover, North Dakota, Lois grew up a in a small farming community. She learned to play the piano at the age of 6, and would travel alone the 10 miles by train into Oakes to take her piano lessons. Her mother was her school teacher in the elementary grades, but not allowed to call her "Mom" in class. Lois was Oaks High School senior class president, and a very popular girl. She played in the school band, and was also on the drill team. School pictures of Lois hang on the wall in the Oakes, ND museum. Lois attended Valley City State Teacher's College in Valley City, North Dakota. There she majored in music and her professor exclaimed he had never heard such a beautiful voice and had Lois sing for all of the other music professors. Her professor was so impressed he planned to train her for the Metropolitan Opera, but a move to Los Angeles was in her destiny. Upon arrival in LA, she lived in her grandfather's house, also known as the Stenquist house. There she pursued music and began her professional career. Lois performed in the Hollywood Bowl with Frank Sinatra, and at other venues with the likes of Shelly Winters, Roger Williams, Gregory Peck and other notables of the day. She also knew Debbie Reynolds. On June 13, 1947, Lois married Harland "Bud" Curtis in Long Beach, CA, and there they began their lives together. They had three sons, Lory V. Curtis, Ed.D., Timothy L. Curtis, and Gregory H. Curtis. In 1957, Lois received an inheritance from an uncle, and she used the money to purchase her home in Lakewood, California. This was Lois's home and she treasured living there all her life. Lois had the voice of an angel, and touched many hearts throughout her musical life. She continued to sing professionally into her 70's, and anyone who stopped by the house experienced the joy of her singing at the piano. Lois is survived by her sister, Roberta Chilstrom (Bill), 3 sons, seven grandchildren, Michael (Heather), Jeremy (Jennifer), Tracey, Bradley (Kendyll), Benjamin (Cammie), Hannah, Meagan, and fifteen great grandchildren Parker, Spencer, Gabrielle, Carson, Sophia, Tayler, Wesley, Jack, Avery, Tessa, Brooklyn, Jacob, Hailey, McKenzie, and Olivia . Funeral Services are scheduled for 2 pm at the Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Road, Long Beach, CA 90808. Interment will be at the Forrest Lawn Cemetery, Long Beach, California.
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