Lois Marie Gerety

Lois Marie Gerety, 86, passed away on Tuesday March 14, 2017 in Prineville, Ore.  A graveside memorial will take place this summer.

Lois was born March 27, 1930, in Coeur d’Alene, Ida to the late George & Helen (Sauer) Rottinghaus.  She was the youngest of 5 children.   Lois’s father died in 1932 and this forced the family to move from Idaho to Seneca, Kan the location of her mother’s family farm.  Her childhood during the Great Depression consisted of hard work and individual determination that ultimately formed her outlook on life.  In high school she moved out west to San Francisco, Cal with her mother and siblings.  Lois enjoyed living in San Francisco especially sneaking into minor league baseball games as a teenager with her sister. 

At the end of WWII, Lois met Richard Gerety in San Francisco while he was on leave from the US Coast Guard.   On November 19, 1949 they were married in Oregon City, Ore.  They settled in Shaniko, Ore working on local cattle and sheep ranches and also lived on the Big Summit Prairie for some time.   Lois was an accomplished outdoorswoman harvesting deer and antelope.  In the early days she hunted with a long bow and then later on switched to a rifle.  In 1952 they moved to Prineville, a place that would forever be her home.  Lois worked as a commercial loan secretary for 25 years starting with First National Bank, then First Interstate Bank, eventually retiring from Wells Fargo Bank in 1997. 

Lois and Richard have one daughter, Jennie.  For over 10 years Lois and Richard volunteered countless hours as a 4-H horse leader in Crook County, teaching many kids how to ride and care for horses.  Lois enjoyed playing pinochle, cribbage and camping in the Ochoco Mountains.  Lois loved watching sports especially basketball.  She loved following the Trail Blazers and watching the Gonzaga Bulldogs.  Lois and Richard were both huge supporters of High School sports and loved to cheer for the Crook County teams over the years. 

Lois is survived by her daughter Jennie Seals (Tom) and their son, Coltan. Lois is preceded in death by her husband Richard and two sisters, Rita and Edna.  Special thanks go out to all the friends and neighbors who helped Lois out over the years.  The family would like to thank the staff at the Carriage Place.

 Arrangements are being made by Juniper Ridge Funeral Home.

 Service Information