Lois Elayne Ellis

Lois Elayne Peterson Ellis passed away early Tuesday morning, February 11, 2025, in Brighton, Michigan as the result of congestive heart failure. Born in Orleans, Michigan on May 25, 1933, to Ed and Myrle Peterson, she was raised on the family dairy farm with her three younger siblings, twins Jim and Jerry and sister Karen. Lois attended a one room schoolhouse through the eighth grade and graduated from Ionia High School. A highlight of her youth was 4-H through which she raised and showed dairy cows, after which she sold them to raise money for college. Lois always enjoyed athletics and played basketball during high school. 

At the young age of 17, Lois became a student at Western Michigan College of Education, now known as Western Michigan University. There she met Peter Ellis, whom she married June 14, 1952. Lois began working at Bell Telephone Company, eventually becoming the first female supervisor in the company. After the couple moved to Clio, Michigan, their two daughters, Tracy and Teri, were born. A move to Lansing, Michigan followed, where Lois finished her teaching degree at Michigan State University. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1964 where Lois lived for nearly the remainder of her life (60 years). Lois began her elementary education teaching career in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. She was a well-loved and much respected teacher at Arcadia Elementary School for decades. Lois also earned her master’s degree in Reading from Western Michigan University. 

Lois and Pete loved their dogs, beginning with a beautiful blue collie early in their married life, followed by Jocko, a mixed breed puppy when the family moved to Kalamazoo. After several years, Scottish Terriers became their dog of choice, and they loved a series of Scotties over the years, including a litter of puppies. Just four months before Lois passed, her last Scottie, Twinkle II, passed away. 

The couple enjoyed traveling and made family vacations a priority in their lives. With their girls in tow, they traveled all over the United States as well as Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. Lois’s favorite places were Sarasota, Florida and Key West, Florida, locations where they purchased time share condominiums. Pete died suddenly in 1989 when Lois was only 56 years old, and she was forced to rebuild a life for herself. She continued to travel including adventures to Hawaii and Israel. Lois ventured to Sarasota every Christmas until just before she passed. Her last trip to Key West was in August 2024; she followed that with a trip to the Smoky Mountains in September. Many of her trips were with her daughter, Tracy, and family. 

A very active member of the Kalamazoo community, Lois attended Westwood United Methodist Church for 60 years, participating in various roles including as a member of WUMC Foundation. She donated many gallons of blood and volunteered for the Red Cross. Lois was a dedicated volunteer with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to those who needed them. She was renowned among family and friends for her pasties, popcorn, hot fudge, Dutch Apple pie, blueberry pie, and, above all, the assorted homemade candy that she gave as gifts every Christmas to the people in her life. Lois was also known for faithfully mailing birthday cards and anniversary cards to everyone in her life. She was an avid reader and enjoyed Sudoku and word searches, completing puzzles the last day of her life. 

Second only to her family, Lois loved Western Michigan University and the Broncos. She and Pete were devoted Bronco fans, particularly with football, hockey, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. They started the Peter and Lois Ellis Scholarship to recognize student athletes who excelled in scholarship, athletics, leadership, service, and character. A highlight in Lois’s life was getting to know these students and their families. Additionally, the Ellis Athletic Academic Advising Center was funded in their names. They also started the Ellis Academic Award for Hockey which is awarded each year. Lois was named the 1998 Woman of the Year by the “W” Club in recognition of her outstanding support of collegiate athletics in and her distinguished service to Western Michigan University. In 2014 she was honored with the WMU Athletics Distinguished Leadership Award. 

Lois is survived by her brother, Jerry (Karen) Peterson; daughters, Tracy (Tom) Crawford and Teri (Michael) Sage; and six grandchildren, Anna (Neil) Sage McKenna, Dustin (Katie) Crawford, Elisha (Shea) Sage, Evan (Amanda) Crawford, Samuel Sage, and Stephen Sage. Eight great grandchildren, Lea, Jennifer, Jonathan, and Ava Marie McKenna; Hayden and Everly Crawford; and Corbin and Emmett Sage, loved her dearly. Many cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive Lois. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Edward and Myrle (Mason) Peterson; husband, Dr. Peter R. Ellis; and siblings, James Peterson and Karen Peterson Coulson. 

In short, Lois was a strong, independent woman who accomplished so much in her 91 years. From the awards she received for her decades of support for scholar athletes to skydiving in celebration of her 65th birthday and zip lining to celebrate her 80th birthday, Lois was fearless and never seemed to stop. She attended nearly every WMU sporting event, each loaded meticulously into her calendar that she liked to schedule at least a year in advance. She also enjoyed the theater and was an avid supporter of the Civic Theater and the New Vic Theater.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Rd, Kalamazoo with the funeral service following at 11:00 AM. The service will be live streamed on the church website, www.westwood-umc.org, or on the church Facebook page. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lois Ellis may be made to the Ellis Athletic Academic Advising Center (mail to WMU Foundation, Heritage Hall, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49009) or to the Westwood United Methodist Church Foundation (mail to Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Rd, Kalamazoo MI 49006). 

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit https://www.langelands.com.