(Sonnichsen) Painter
Lois Edna (Sonnichsen) Painter passed away on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, in Ephrata, Washington.
She was born on Dec. 17, 1926, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. She was the third of four children born to Peter Richard and Sarah Elizabeth (Lamb) Sonnichsen.
In 1935 the family moved to Washington state, living in Wenatchee, Twisp and Winthrop.
During her lifetime, Lois had a love of horses and was chosen Methow Valley Rodeo Queen in 1945.
On Oct. 26, 1946, she married Lawrence L. Painter and they made their home in Winthrop. They eventually moved to Pearrygin Lake State Park to raise their family, where Larry was the ranger.
The family spent summers camping, fishing and trips to the ocean.
Lois loved to be outdoors. She always had a large yard, garden and beautiful flowerbeds. She enjoyed painting, sewing, quilting, snowmobiling, traveling and reading.
After Larry’s passing, she moved to Ephrata to be near her daughters, where she lived until she passed.
She is survived by her four daughters, Lynda (Glen) Hagy of Ephrata; Marcia Painter of Richland, Washington; Marilyn (Richard) Littleton of Ephrata; and Jennifer Northcott of Winthrop; her two sisters-in-law, Rosie Sonnichsen of Moses Lake, Washington, and Ellen Sonnichsen, of Louisiana. She has 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence L. Painter, her parents, Peter and Sarah Sonnichsen, her two brothers, Arthur and Lyle Sonnichsen, and her sister Elsie Conley.
By her request, there will be no service. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com.
