Lois A. Murphy Bates Stockwell

Lois Ann Murphy Bates Stockwell was born Oct. 9, 1924 in Helena, Mont., to James and Bessie Murphy and raised with three brothers, James, William and Russel and a sister, Mary during the brutal hardships of the depression.

Lois Ann Murphy Bates Stockwell was born Oct. 9, 1924, in Helena, Mont., to James and Bessie Murphy and raised with three brothers, James, William and Russel and a sister, Mary during the brutal hardships of the depression.

Lois met and fell in love with Marvin Bates in 1941 at the roller skating rink in Helena when she was 17 and he was 19. Later that year they eloped to Nevada where they were married. Their daughter Mary Lee was was born there in 1943 and son, Michael was born the following year.

In 1944 Marvin was drafted into the Army so they moved to Yakima, so Lois and the children would be close to his parents while he was gone to war. Marvin passed away in 1946. Lois met her second husband, Howard Stockwell (Stocky), while working at the Yakima Airport Skyline Cafe in 1949. He charmed her with his race cars and airplane rides. Their son Glen, was born in 1950 and son Dan, the following year. They lived in Wiley City and Ahtanum for 23 years.

Their life was filled with raising the children to love outdoor activities, a cabin at Rimrock Lake, boating, water skiing, fishing and hiking. Stocky retired in 1974 and they moved to Westport and started a fishing business. In the late 70’s they became Snowbirds and spent their winters in Arizona, where they made many friends and had a great time traveling around the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico for many years. In the 90’s there was a much anticipated trip to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. For their 50th anniversary in 1999, they were delighted when their children gave them a trip to Hawaii. After 55 years of marriage, Stocky passed away in June, 2004 and Lois moved to Emmett, Idaho to live close to her daughter. Lois loved to garden and raised spectacular dahlias, was a voracious reader and loved mysteries and loved the ocean; whether walking on the beach or being on a boat, pulling in salmon. But most of all she loved her family and was completely devoted to all of us. At age 92, she passed away peacefully on Nov. 4, 2016 at Highland Health Center in Bellingham.

She is survived by a daughter, Mary Lee Freer (Eugene) and sons Michael Bates (Patricia), Glen Stockwell (Deanie) and Dan Stockwell (Cindy), 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, her husbands and a granddaughter, (Tina).

There will be a family gathering in Yakima and memorial service at Calvary Cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Mom, your family loved you dearly; you will be forever in our hearts.