Lois Estelle Hughes of Hay Springs, 94, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Chadron Community Hospital.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Hay Springs with Father Daniel Gilbert officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. A rosary will be held on Monday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Lois was born May 14, 1929 in Sterling, Colorado to Burrell Jefferson Monroe and Dessie Esther (Litch )Monroe. She grew up on a wheat farm near Fleming, Colorado. As a young girl, she was told by a friend and neighbor that she would be prettier if she smiled. Mom said she has been smiling ever since. Everyone who knew Lois can attest to that.
Lois graduated from Sterling High School in Sterling, Colorado in 1947. After high school she 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 to manage Thiele’s Crystal shop.
She met Thomas Hughes on a blind date in Alliance, Nebraska. 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. She made a good trade. Tom and Lois lived on the ranch SW of Hay Springs where they raised seven children. Lois was quoted as saying “There were times I thought the kids were going to drive meto 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 and she loved going to Deadwood. She was so very loved and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Gregg (Donna) Hughes of Hastings; 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. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage, her parents, her sister, Mary Shell, and her brother, Burrell Jack Monroe.
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 with Bates-Gould Funeral Home of Alliance in charge of arrangements.