Lois V. Olmstead, 93, passed away Saturday,  July 31, 2010 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Sue and Bill Ridgeway, surrounded by her family.

Born Jan. 13, 1917 in Princeton, she was the daughter of William F. and Eva J. (Meeker) Mowry.

Lois was one of 10 children and attended school in Princeton. On June 14, 1938, she married Ivan R. Olmstead in Kokomo.

Lois was a long-time member of Courtland Avenue Friends Church, where she had spent countless hours volunteering with sewing quilts for missions, cooking funeral dinners and various other activities. She also personally hand made at least one quilt for each of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Lois was a dedicated mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother who was happiest when she was surrounded by her family and friends. She was a very talented cook and baker, and was famous for her “sweet tea” and pie dough cookies.

Lois is survived by her three children, B. Sue (Bill) Ridgeway, Marilyn (Don) Alfrey, both of Kokomo, Keith (Diane) Olmstead, of Russiaville; eight grandchildren, Tammy Ridgeway, Joe (Diane) Ridgeway, Todd (Joan) Ridgeway, Tim Ridgeway, Jama Olmstead, Katie (Chris) Jackson, Kristie White, Lexi Olmstead; 17 great- grandchildren, Nathan (Melissa) Ridgeway, Nicole (Kevin) Kling, Natalie Ridgeway, Neal Ridgeway, Allison Murphy, Renee Nulf, Malorie Ridgeway, Landon Ridgeway, Devin Watson, Samantha Woody, Austin Watson, Tyler Watson, Marshall Woody, Brayden Jackson, Ava McKeethen, Haven Gunderson, Cora Gunderson; six great great-grandchildren, Noah Ridgeway, Samuel Ridgeway, Micah Kling, Zackary Ridgeway, Winnie Kling, and Madeline Ridgeway; a seventh great-great-grandchild due in December of 2010; a brother, Dan F. (Mickie) Mowry, of Rolla, Mo.; a sister, Jo (Joe) Adams, of Naples, Fla.; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Mowry, of Ft. Branch.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ivan R. Olmstead on Sept. 19, 1993; four sisters; and three brothers. 

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010 at the Courtland Avenue Friends Church, 1300 S. Courtland Ave., Kokomo, with Pastor Joe Toren officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 at Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster St., Kokomo.