Lois Mackes

Lois Eileen Mackes, 67, joined her Lord and Savior in Heaven on November 3, 2024, after a six-month battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully at home in the care of her husband, with family by her side.

Born Lois Eileen Draper to Reverend Larry and Lois Draper on May 2, 1957, in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, she was the second of their four girls. Lois grew up singing with her three sisters in churches, participating in drill team, and always excelling academically.

When her family moved to New York, Lois met Shurldin Peter Mackes, and their forty-eight year love story began. Surrounded by both of their families, they were married on March 20, 1976, in Skaneateles, New York. Four daughters and one son were born in the years following, and family became her life.

Shurl and Lois moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 1986 where Lois was a stay-at-home mother for many years. She later worked in several different vocations including U.S. Cellular, the Museum of Idaho, The Chamber of Commerce, and was currently the Finance Administrator for Inspire Human Services. When she graduated with a Bachelors in Business at the age of 52, her family, including grandchildren, watched her receive her diploma.

Throughout her life, Lois was always involved and dedicated to the ministry of Jesus. She faithfully ministered to and advised, helped, prayed, and cared for her children and her grandchildren, continuously. Her example of faithfulness in Jesus and his promises has not only impacted her family, but many others throughout her life. Her kindness was abundant, her blue eyes sparkly, her sweet smile contagious, and she was quite mighty, for a tiny little thing.

Lois was preceded in death by her grandparents; her father and mother, Reverend Larry and Lois Draper; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Maurice and Geraldine Mackes; her niece, Cari Susan (Jessica) Coates, and Damon Murdock.

She is survived by her husband, Shurldin Mackes; her sisters, Charlotte (Kerry) Kiser, Colleen (Lee) Kleiwer, and Carolyn (Gregg) Copeland; her children, April (Mike) Weed, Susan Cox, Lydia (Brad) Cederberg, Joel Mackes, Grace Mackes; and her beloved grandchildren, Max, Eli, Johnathan, Hannah, Noah, Charlotte, Eleanor, Leland; nieces and nephews, and many loved ones.

A funeral service, open to all, will be held at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 2345 W. Broadway, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. A private family burial will follow in the Ammon Cemetery. Lois has been cared for by Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road.

The family extends thanks to Enhabit Home Health & Hospice for their generous kindness and care of Lois, with a special thanks to Emily (nurse).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Idaho Youth Ranch in her memory.

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.