Lois Ann Willson

Lois Ann Goodman Willson

Lois Ann Goodman Willson, 72, passed away Jan. 3, 2007 at her home in Loveland, Colo. She was born to Helen and Ivan P. Goodman in Casper on July 7, 1934. Lois received her early elementary education in Midwest and transferred to Casper, where she attended Natrona County schools.

Lois enrolled in college at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and studied art under Professor Raymond Jonson, an influential modernist painter and noted art instructor. A wood sculpture by Lois was chosen for permanent display there at the Jonson Museum. She continued her studies in Ft. Collins at CSU and in Laramie at the University of Wyoming, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in primary and art education. She taught second grade for several years in Casper at Willard School.

Lois Ann Goodman and George B. Willson (of Lusk, Wyoming) met while studying at the University of Wyoming and were later married in the Methodist Church in Casper on Dec. 21, 1959. The couple spent their early married years in Laramie until 1965, when they moved to the metropolitan suburbs outside of Washington, D.C. where Lois enjoyed being part of an active art community. She taught art classes and also displayed and sold her art at "The Savage Mill" and taught art to a senior citizen class and gave private art lessons. She also taught handicapped children for a time. Lois was considered to be an impressionist landscape artist and her paintings reflected her love of landscapes especially of the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming.

The couple took many day trips through the Appalachian Mountains and the Outer Banks of North Carolina while living in the East. When they moved west after retirement, they still took day trips through the Rockies and other nearby mountain ranges, while Lois stored up inspiration for her art.

She was a loving and devoted wife and mother and enjoyed her two children, John and Carol and her grandchildren, Amy and Sam.

Lois is survived by her husband of 47 years, George B. Willson of Loveland, Colo., son John Willson of Cockeysville, Md., daughter Carol and husband Steve Phifer of Fredericksburg, Virginia and grandchildren Amy and Sam, two brothers, Ivan Goodman of the Las Vegas area in Nev., Dix Goodman and wife Judy of Casper, sister Sandra Davidson of Casper and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by both parents, Helen and Ivan Goodman.

Memorial Services were held in Loveland on Jan. 9, with Rev. Sally Palmer of St. Paul's U.C.C. Church of Laramie presiding at the Kibbey Fishburn Funeral Home in Loveland. Memorial Services will also be held in Lusk at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Congregational Church with Pastor Mark Lohr presiding. Graveside services will follow with inurnment at the Lusk Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Thompson Valley Art League, c/o Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 569, Lusk, WY 82225.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records