Obit: Lois Barnett, 79

Lois Barnett

Lois Elizabeth (LaPointe) Barnett, aged 79, went home to her Savior and Lord on December 9, 2012, at Nottingham Place of Midland.

Lois was born July 19, 1933 to Katherine and Leo LaPointe in Ludington, and grew up on the LaPointe family farm in Carr Settlement area of Branch.  All who remember Lois as a child remember her love of animals and her numerous pets, especially horses. She attended Elm elementary school and graduated from St. Simon High School in 1952. She went on to attend Mercy School of Practical Nursing and graduated the following year, in 1953.

She married the boy from the farm down the road, Robert George “Bob” Barnett on September 4, 1954. As a young couple they moved around, complements of the US Navy, eventually landing in Lafayette, Louisiana where they raised their 5 children.

Lois worked as a stay-at-home mom most of her life, but did work part time as an LPN at a dermatology clinic in Lafayette. After moving back to Michigan in 1977, she and Bob experienced new found joy through ownership and management of a campground on Hamlin Lake. She maintained her nursing license and worked part time at the hospital in Ludington, and later at a clinic in Baldwin where she did traveling blood pressure clinics and provided respite in-home care. She was honored for her services there.

Lois had a heart of gold. She was known for taking in stray animals and wayward teens.  She loved all, and was loved by everyone who knew her. She had a passion for music, gardening, playing cards, camping, sandy beaches, volunteering, dancing, and celebrating the holidays with her family.  She knew how to live life to the fullest and she taught others to live, love, and delight in all the Lord has given. Until she became ill, Lois remained actively involved in her church and community service. Even then, she tried to take care of others, as attested to by her caregivers. It gave her great joy to be able to take care of grandkids after school. She is remembered for her canned foods and for spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with home-made cookies and underground muffins.

Lois will be greatly missed by her 5 children: William (Jessie Pal-ing) Barnett of Youngsville, LA; Kathleen Barnett of Broussard, LA; Cynthia (Larry) Woiderski of Midland, Deborah (Mark) Buteau, and James (Jeana) Barnett all of Youngsville, LA,  fourteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, her sisters-in-law: Glenna LaPointe of Branch, Patsy LaPointe of Purdon, Texas, and Sally Owen of Westland, MI,  her brother-in-law Sam Barnett of Branch, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Robert Barnett in August1987, her brothers Edward and Maurice LaPointe in 2011, and by baby Jennifer Lynn in 1959.

The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for Lois on Friday, December 14 at 11:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3109 Swede Avenue, Midland with Rev. Pete Gaspeny and Rev. Joe Fix as con-celebrants. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church starting at 10 AM. A lunch will be available immediately following the mass and burial will take place at 4:00PM at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Custer.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Alzheimer’s Association, The American Cancer Society, or St. Jude’s Children Hospital in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements for Lois are entrusted to the care of Wyman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Scottville. Please visit Lois’ personal memory page atwww.stephensfuneralhome.net to sign her guestbook, or to leave a memory of Lois for her family.