Lois E. Powell, a Gig Harbor Wash. resident, died Monday November 6, 2017, at St. Anthony Hospital. Born Sept. 26, 1931 in Paige Co. Iowa to Wayne E. and Alice Fern (Bolen) Kelley, Lois was the oldest of five children.
Lois grew up in Grass Valley, Ore. and graduated from Moro High School in 1950. After graduation she attended Eastern Oregon College and obtained a teaching certificate. While teaching first grade in Madras Ore., she met her future husband, Guy E. Powell. They were married June 17, 1956 in Grass Valley, Ore.
Lois was a gifted, creative teacher and a woman of great faith. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from University of Puget Sound and was one of the founders of The Sonshine Patch Preschool at Fircrest United Methodist Church in Fircrest, Wash. Lois taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years and was an active leader in the United Methodist Women, truly living the mission of fostering spiritual growth, developing leaders and advocating for justice.
Lois enjoyed traveling and made many trips to Europe with her husband and friends. She also loved theater and joined Tacoma Musical Playhouse on several theater tours to cities around the United States and Canada.
Spending time with family and friends was very important to Lois and she rarely missed a special occasion in her children and grandchildren’s lives. Her family and friends will long remember dinners and holiday celebrations at her home. Lois enjoyed sewing and quilting and many babies received hand quilted blankets. She especially loved keeping in contact with long time friends and classmates.
Lois is survived by her sister, Dorothy Duncan of Las Vegas, Nevada, brothers Carl Kelley of Kennewick, Wash. and Jerry Kelley of Zellwood, Florida; children, Lori Bialkowsky (Paul) of Montesano, Wash, David Powell of Gig Harbor, Wash., and Alicen Kelly (Greg) of Castle Rock, Wash. Lois is also survived by grandsons, Joel (Amy), Patrick, and Evan Bialkowsky and Wyatt and Slate Kelly, and two great granddaughters, Ava and Paige Bialkowsky. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, George Kelley.
A celebration of life will be held on November 26, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Gig Harbor United Methodist Church. Visit www.tacomamausoleum.com to share memories and leave condolences for the family.

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