Lois Jean Gilcrease was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on May 3, 2023, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was 89 years old.
Lois was born on December 31, 1933, in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Esther and Albert Bickel and raised in La Junta, Colorado where, after graduating from high school, she met and fell in love with her best friend and husband, Arthur. As newlyweds, they began their life together in Prestwick, Scotland where Arthur was stationed with the USAF Air Sea Command. This would become the first of many travel adventures to their favorite destinations around the United States and abroad, which included Australia, Switzerland, Ireland, and trips back to the west coast and northern highlands of Scotland. Lois and Art started their family in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and then moved to the central coast of California. She always found joy in the outdoors, and she and Art developed a lifelong love of camping with friends and family and hiking the many trails near the coast. In 1973, the family returned to New Mexico, making it their final home, and they spent many years exploring the hills and mountains of the southwest, including several hiking trips into the Grand Canyon.
A deep faith in God was always present in Lois as she built her life around her family, her church and serving others. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, always patient and supportive, and full of kindness. Lois was always generous with her time, by teaching Sunday school, offering support for church projects, working in the church historical archive, reaching out to local nursing homes to visit residents, and living her life trying to reflect God’s kindness and love. Lois had several interests and on any given day you could find her working in the garden, updating family genealogy, browsing through her travel maps while planning her next adventure, perfecting her Scottish shortbread, or reading one of her many books on a wide variety of topics.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Gilcrease, son Craig Gilcrease, parents Esther and Albert Bickel, brother Donald Bickel and wife Marie, and nephew Dana Bickel. Lois is survived by her daughters Zantha Gilcrease and Crichton Gilcrease, daughter-in-law Monica Gilcrease, grandchildren Emely Gilcrease and Christopher Martinez, family dog ZZ, niece Lanae Bickel (Frank), great-niece Tylyn Nakamura, and great-nephew Race Nakamura.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 9:00 am at Real Life Church, 1040 El Paseo Rd., Las Cruces, New Mexico. To honor the memory of Lois and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mesilla Valley Hospice and Assisted Living in Las Cruces, New Mexico, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces NM 88001. Please visit www.getzcares.com to sign the local online guest book.
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