Lois Carol (Arnestad) Symonds

Symonds, Lois ( Nee Arnestad)

It is with great sadness that the family of Lois Symonds announces her passing at the age of 93, surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at the Claresholm General Hospital. 

Lois was born on August 25, 1929 in Claresholm. She would start her schooling in Claresholm and finish in Stavely. She was the middle child of Nellie and Olaf Arnestad. Lois worked at the Claresholm Hospital where she met and married Clifford Symonds. Together they raised their 3 children - Carol, Sandra and Douglas. Later she would work at the Porcupine Hills Lodge and eventually become the Matron of the Porcupine Lodge where she would retire in 1993. 

Lois’s interests included sewing, knitting, puzzles, walking her dog (and later scootering them), and welcoming many family members and friends to her home. She was also a member of the Eastern Star for 65 years and served as Matron of the local chapter in Claresholm for a time. 

Lois is survived by her daughter Carol Brooks and son Chuck ( Megan); son-in-law Doug MacPherson and sons Scott( Rachel); Shaun (Angela); daughter-in-law Tracey Symonds and son Cody and daughter Karly (Matt) Ferguson ; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Clifford, parents Nellie and Olaf Arnestad, sister Olene Gray, brother Carl Arnestad, daughter Sandra MacPherson and son Douglas Symonds. 

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Zentner Funeral Homes – 4079 1st Street West – Claresholm, AB. 

Memorial donations may be made to Claresholm and District Health Foundation, Box 2638, Claresholm, Alberta T0L0T0 or to CARES Claresholm Animal Rescue Society Box 2579, Claresholm, Alberta T0L0T0 

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