Lois Davis

Lois Ruth Hanson Davis, 92, of Idaho Falls passed away peacefully at her residence in Lincoln Court, April 2, 2025, with family by her side.

Lois was born at the family dairy farm home in McCammon, Idaho, April 3rd, 1932. She weighed 10 lbs and was the 2nd child of Leo and Mary Hanson. She had an older brother LeMar Hanson and 10 years later they welcomed a younger brother, Reed Hanson.

She attended her school years in McCammon, Idaho. She was a good student and enjoyed music, track (high jump and relays), basketball, and dancing. She worked hard on the dairy farm by collecting eggs, working in the garden, and driving teams of horses in the hay fields. She also enjoyed being a part of the McCammon Horse Riding Club.

Lois met her husband, Van, at the McCammon Idaho Rodeo. They were married October 15, 1949, and later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 6, 1952. To this union were born five children, Steven Van, VanaLee, DeLyn, Mel, and Ann. When Van died in 2017 they had been married 68 years.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout her life she served in various capacities, Ward Chorister (for decades), Primary Chorister, Primary Teacher, Relief Society President, Young Women Leader, Youth Dance Director (with her husband), and more. She also taught sewing as a 4-H Leader.

Van and Lois moved their family to Waterloo, Montana, in 1959 to begin their ranching journey. Six years later they moved their family to Twin Bridges, Montana, where they purchased the Mule Shoe Ranch and additional properties. They sold the ranch in 2001, built a new home and moved to Dillon, Montana. They bought a second home in Hurricane, Utah, where they lived in the winter. These two homes brought many more dear friends that enriched their lives.

Lois loved many different hobbies and was a passionate gardener and a talented seamstress. She enjoyed quilting, was an excellent cook, and shared many beautiful pieces of embroidery work. She especially enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in athletics, along with watching the Twin Bridges Falcons (their favorite by far). Lois and Van enjoyed bowling in Dillon and their new friendships there. One of their favorite pastimes was big band dancing, which led them to many new adventures and competitions, from their young married years up to retirement.

She devoted her whole life to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Every new grandbaby received a handmade baby blanket and she made quilts for each of her children’s weddings. Lois always remembered birthdays and provided a lot of special treats when family visited her home. The best, and most fun part of any ranch family is branding day. Lunch on the banks of the Beaverhead River, where we enjoyed her delicious sloppy joes, potato salad, and shenanigans… always good for a laugh!

Lois was shy and reserved and was happy to be the quiet one in the ranch operation. She never wanted to draw attention to herself and was modest in every sense of the old fashioned word, the very essence of humility.

Lois is survived by her son, Steve (Donna) Davis of Dillon, MT; daughter, VanaLee (Larry) Taylor of Dillon, MT; daughter, DeLyn (Brad) Hendricks of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Mel of Three Forks, MT; daughter, Ann (Dean) Halse of Bozeman, MT; 15 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; brother, Reed (Linda) Hanson; sister-in-law, Virginia Hanson (LeMar); and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Van; parents, Leo and Mary Hanson; brother, LeMar; and sister-in-law, Beverly Hanson.

A special thank you to Eden Home Health and Hospice for the special care they took of our mother during her last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lois Davis Memorial Fund at the Bank of Commerce, savings account ending in 3571, or to the Venmo account, DeLyn-Hendricks, are appreciated.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Idaho Falls West Stake Center, 2040 Brentwood Drive, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Norton Cemetery, 1700 State St, McCammon, Idaho.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneral.com.