Lois Mae Endress Kehlet Obituary
Lois Mae Endress Kehlet (1929-2018)
Lois Mae Endress Kehlet, age 88, formerly of North Tustin, California, passed away on April 22, 2018 at Brookdale Santa Catalina in Tucson, Arizona.
Born on November 14, 1929 to George and Evelyn Endress, Lois was raised in Joliet, Illinois. A bright student with a passion for math and science, Lois graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1947 and attended Joliet Junior College before transferring to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry in 1951.
On July 6, 1952, Lois married Alan Kehlet, her high school and college sweetheart. Shortly thereafter, the couple moved to Hampton, Virginia to become pioneers in NASA’s space program. While Alan was building his career as an aerodynamicist and project manager, Lois worked in NASA’s research labs before the couple decided to start their family.
Over the years, Alan’s aerospace career would take their family to many places throughout the United States, including Orange County, CA, Cocoa Beach, FL, Oklahoma City, OK, San Antonio, TX, and St. Louis, MO. With each move, Lois made a home for her family and became an asset to the community through her contributions to various charitable organizations.
In 1988, the family moved back to Orange County, CA, where Lois finished her career at McDonnell Douglas before retiring in 1997. In retirement, Lois kept busy managing the family’s rental properties and visiting family and friends. Lois and Alan relocated to Tucson, AZ, near their daughter, Jennifer and her family in 2015.
An avid traveler, Lois enjoyed vacationing with her family in exotic locales. Memorable excursions include a cruise to Alaska, camel rides during a trip to Egypt, and a three week grand tour of Europe. By far, Lois’ favorite destination to make memories with her children and grandchildren was the family’s timeshare property in Cancun, Mexico.
Lois is survived by her husband of 65 years, Alan Kehlet; children Robert Kehlet, James Kehlet, David Kehlet, Jennifer Kehlet Barton, and Steven Kehlet; grandchildren Allison Kehlet Gainor, Danika Kehlet Scott, Kristen Kehlet, Lee Kehlet, Mitchell Kehlet, Ryan Kehlet, Sarah Kehlet, Erika Barton, Erin Barton, and Brynna Kehlet; and great-grandchildren Brooke Gainor and Oliver Gainor.
A memorial service will be held at Adair Funeral Home, Avalon Chapel in Oro Valley, Arizona on May 5, 2018 at 3 p.m.
