Lois Marie Wirt passed away at Mission Terrace in Santa Barbara, on Monday, April 9, 2007, one day shy of her 90th birthday.

Lois was born on April 10, 1917, at the Wirt Family Farm (The Lazy "W") three miles south of Harrisonville, Cass County, Missouri, during a violent spring storm that broke out several windows and caused general havoc. Her mother often referred to that day's events.
She was the only daughter of Gustavus "Gus" Glendon Wirt and Jessie Marie (Sturgeon) Wirt. Her three brothers, John Kincade Wirt (1913-1986), Louis "Bud" Glendon Wirt (1915-2001), and Frank Eugene Wirt (1918-1997) preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marie Allene (Tietjen) Wirt, of Clovis, three nieces, and four nephews. Lois used her middle name, Marie, until John married Marie Allene. Thereafter, Lois Marie was commonly called "Sis." All her nieces and nephews knew her as "Aunt Sis" who was generous, eccentric, and adventurous.

She attended schools in Butler, Bates County, Missouri, graduating from high school in 1935. She worked at the Bates County Public Library for several years. In 1945 she graduated from Central Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg, Missouri. After graduation, she worked as a "Rosie Riveter" in a defense plant in Los Angeles, California, contributing to the World War II effort. Lois taught English and Drama in the Missouri Ozarks and was well known as a drama coach. After moving to California she taught in the old Lompoc Elementary School from 1948 to 1949, and then in Woodlake, California. For five years she taught at the first elementary school at Vandenberg Air Force Base and then at Los Berros Elementary School from 1963, when the school first opened, until she retired in 1983. Local teachers nicknamed her Sally. Never marrying, Lois showered her affection on children, reading in classrooms after her retirement. An avid reader and collector, Lois loved books. She once remarked: "My tombstone should read 'She Loved Books.'"

Services will be held on Monday, April 16, 2007, at 1 PM in the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary with Rev. David Horning of the First United Methodist Church officiating followed by interment in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.
Thanks to her longtime friend Leslie Kelly and Dr Coughlin's staff for their friendship, Dee Koop, the Senior Nutrition Center, and Robyn Small of At Home Senior Services, her niece Glenda Bell, as well as many teacher friends who have visited and supported Lois over the years, including Al Harris, Sonja, Carol Linger & Pam and their visiting dogs, and staff at Lodge of Lompoc.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Library, Humane Society or Senior Nutrition Center.