Lois Geneve Sporleder

Lois Geneva Sporleder passed away on
Aug. 23, 2013, at age 90 in the loving
arms of her daughters. She was born in
Pendleton on Oct. 10, 1922, to James Eaton and Elizabeth
Pinkley Eaton. Lois’ father pastored in many
churches so Lois spent her childhood moving from
Pendleton, Pomeroy, Milton-Freewater and Toppenish.

Lois graduated in 1940 from Toppenish High School,
where she played piano, violin and sang in operettas.
After high school, she moved to Seattle to attend the
University of Washington and later to work for the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She always talked
about how she climbed up and down the hills of Seattle
to go to work in high heels.
After the war was over, she moved to Walla Walla
and was a bookkeeper for Eugene Tausick at the
Grand Hotel.

Lois was introduced to Edwin Sporleder by his brother,
Fred. She liked Ed even with his yellow eyes from
malaria and hepatitis that he had contracted during
the war. Ed proposed to her at the Triple X drive-in
and they were married on Oct. 20, 1946, at her parents’
home in Milton-Freewater.

Lois continued to work at the Grand Hotel while Ed
and Fred were starting Sporleders, their mens’ clothing
store. Later she helped at the store for many years
doing bookkeeping and working in the tailor shop.
Lois was very active in family activities especially after
her daughters, Judith Ann and Jane Louise, were
born. She helped with school events, Camp Fire and
Wagonette trips.

Lois had fun singing in a trio with Shirley Dunham
and Betty Gehr Batey. She also played piano for PEO
Chapter AD, and different groups and for family and
friend sing-a-longs.

Lois had the title of “hostess with the mostest.” She
was a gourmet cook and friends and family always
enjoyed dinner parties at her house. Lois’ cookie jar
was always full and her sugar and oatmeal cookies
were a favorite to everyone, especially the neighborhood
kids.

She was a great decorator and would help her friends
to make decorating decisions. Lois could build, sew,
or cook anything – even a 35-pound Thanksgiving
turkey.

Lois worked with Welcome Wagon, Carnegie Art
Center and volunteered to plan golf and special activities
at the Walla Walla Country Club. She was a
member and past president of Junior Club and her
PEO Chapter AD group. She enjoyed the game of golf
and was an avid member of the 18 Holers at the Walla
Walla Country Club.

Lois and Ed spent many years of their retirement
traveling to Palm Desert to enjoy golf, friends and
the sunshine. They also traveled to Europe together
which was a lifetime dream come true.
Lois and Ed were devoted to each other for 56 years.
After he passed away in 2002, she kept active with
friends and family. She loved participating in the activities
of her two grandchildren, Audra and Christopher.

Lois is survived by her daughters, Judy Jackley and
Jane Sporleder of Walla Walla; her grandchildren,
Audra Jane Jackley and Christopher James Kelly of
Seattle. She is also survived by her brother-in-law,
Bob Sporleder of Walla Walla; and sister-in-laws, Corleen
Sporleder Litsey and Laura Sporleder Mangum
of Nampa, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husband,
Ed Sporleder; her sisters, Gladys Patterson,
Novella Seebeck, Ruth Helke and Lillian Eaton; and
her brothers, James Eaton and Arnold Eaton.

Lois’ family is grateful for her “special friends” who
gave her such loving care at Eagle Springs.

A gravesite service will be held Wednesday, Aug. 28,
2013, at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Viewing
will be from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at
the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder,
Walla Walla. Memorials may be made to the Carnegie
Picture Lab, Hospice of Walla Walla, the YWCA
Womens’ Center or to CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocates) through Herring Groseclose Funeral
Home. Friends and family are invited to sign the online
guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.