Lois Sheppard Gerig

Lois Sheppard Gerig was born October 16, 1935, in Centralia, Washington. After a courageous battle with cancer, she passed peacefully into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in her home in Lacey, Washington, on April 30, 2024. Lois lived in Olympia most of her life, graduating from Olympia High School in 1954. She attended the Olympia St. Peter Hospital School of Nursing and worked in the medical field for three years. She was a microbiologist in the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 14 years, from 1960 to 1974. She was also active in Youth Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation in the 1970s and ‘80s. Lois joined the staff of Washington State Retired Teachers Association (WSRTA) in 1984. She was the Executive Director of WSTRA for eight years, from 1989 to 1997. She retired in 1998. Lois was a very caring, compassionate, loving caregiver, devoted to the care of many in her family, as well as friends. She raised her granddaughter, Katrina Land, who came to live with her from age seven. Lois is remembered and loved by all. She was always generous with her time and embodied unconditional love to her entire family and countless others. She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain friends and family. She met the love of her life, Lee Gerig, in 2012. They were married on April 13, 2013. They had an active and fulfilling life together in the autumn of their lives. Her unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of family and friends carried her through months of cancer. Lois’s family loved and respected her. She was the matriarch of her immediate family and the descendants and spouses of two combined stepfamilies, totaling 56 members. Proverbs 31:28-29 reads, “Her children rise up and bless her, her husband also, and he praises her, saying, many women have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Lois was preceded in in death by her parents, Herb and Bea Gibbs; ex-husband, Jim Land; and husband, John Sheppard. She is survived by husband, Lee Gerig; daughter, Susan Haggenson; grandson, James Haagenson; granddaughter, Katrina Land; great-granddaughter, Skyla Crofton; stepson, Arnold Sheppard; sister, Patricia Gibbs Wilson; and niece, Marcee Wheaton. Lois also has the large stepfamilies of Sheppards and Gerigs. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held, Saturday, June 1, 2024, 1:00 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 2425 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, WA 98512. Memorial donations may be given in honor of Lois Sheppard Gerig to Family Education and Support Services (FESS) online at FamilyFESS.org. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.