Lois Arnesen (1928-2017)

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Nelson’s Lois Arnesen (pictured below) on New Year’s Eve. I wrote a profile of Lois in 2012 for the Nelson Star’s Kootenay Pioneers series.

Lois was a life-long resident of Nelson. Her parents, Bert and Jeanne Whimster, arrived here in the early 1920. She was well known for her 21 years as a Welcome Wagon hostess — in fact she greeted me to Nelson in 2010. She was named Nelson’s Citizen of the Year for 2012.

She was also one of three panelists at a family history night I hosted last February at Touchstones Nelson. Among other things, she shared memories of L.V. Rogers — the man for whom the school was named. She was student council prime minister while he was principal.

Lois also attended the last history night in December at the courthouse, and seemed to be doing well, so I was surprised to learn that she had died. A life well lived.