Funeral services for 94-year old Lois Hughes of Hay Springs, NE, are Tues, May 7 at 10:00 at St Columbkille Catholic Church in Hay Springs with Father Daniel Gilbert officiating.
Burial will be in the St Mary’s Cemetery in Hay Springs.
A rosary will be held on Monday, May 6, at 7:00 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St Columbkille Catholic Church or the Hay Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com
Lois Estelle Hughes of Hay Springs was born May 14, 1929 in Sterling, CO, to Burrell Jefferson Monroe and Dessie Esther (Litch) Monroe. She passed away on Wed, May 1, 2024 at Chadron Community Hospital.
Lois grew up on a wheat farm near Fleming, CO. As a young girl, she was told by a friend and neighbor that she would be prettier if she smiled and Mom said she has been smiling ever since. Everyone who knew Lois can attest to that.
Lois graduated from Sterling High School in 1947, then attended Barnes Business School in Denver. After graduating, her parents gave her a maroon Mercury convertible, which she loved.
After working in Sterling, Colorado at Rominger Jewelers, she accepted a promotion and moved to Alliance, NE, to manage Thiele’s Crystal shop.
Lois met Thomas Hughes on a blind date in Alliance. Her first thought was “Wow, I don’t know if I can handle this guy or not.” Apparently she could, so on September 5, 1955 she was united in marriage to Thomas J Hughes in Alliance.
After their marriage, Lois chose to give up her beloved Mercury and made a good trade. Tom and Lois lived on the ranch SW of Hay Springs, where they raised 7 children.
Lois was quoted as saying “There were times I thought the kids were going to drive me to the funny farm, but they grew up and were a joy to me.” Each of them was her favorite.
Lois loved playing cards, making donuts at the Senior Center in Hay Springs, spending time with family, traveling – especially going to Deadwood.
She was so very loved and will be missed by all who knew her.
Lois is survived by her children Gregg (Donna) Hughes of Hastings, NE; Kirk (Linda) Hughes of Glenrock, WY; Lisa Hughes of Casper, WY; Burrell (Andrea) Hughes of Hay Springs; Bart Hughes of Dickinson, ND; Heather (Kalvin) Kresl of Hemingford, NE; and Debbie (Mike) Rooney of Arvada, CO.
She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lois was preceded in death by her loving husband Tom, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage; her parents; her sister Mary Shell; and her brother Burrell Jack Monroe.
Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance in charge of arrangements.