Lois Gambles Hess
July 6, 1932 – August 27, 2022
Lois Gambles Kent Hess, an adored wife, mother, and grandmother completed her earthly journey on August 27, 2022 in Ogden, Utah at 90 years old. Lois was born on July 6, 1932 to Thelma Brim and George Gambles in their home just west of Swan Lake, Idaho. She was the fifth out of eight children. Lois and her siblings had an idyllic childhood where they truly enjoyed being together as a family and learned the value of hard work. Their bonds grew even stronger as they each raised families of their own.
Lois attended Downey High School where she was voted Harvest Ball Queen and graduated in 1950. When Lois was 15 she met Kenneth Kent with whom she loved going to dances with. They were later engaged on July 6, Lois’ 18th birthday, and then married on November 24, 1950 in Swan Lake, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Logan Utah Temple on November 10, 1955.
Together Lois and Kenneth had five children – Dee, Kelly, Cindy, Kenalee, and Kurtis. They enjoyed their simplistic life farming and instilling a strong work ethic into their children while living in St. John. On Sep 10, 1965 Lois lost Kenneth unexpectedly to a battle with cancer leaving her to raise their five children. Lois got right to work and got herself a job on the graveyard shift at the Crowther’s Flour Mill so she could be home with her children during the day.
In 1966 Kenneth’s good friend, Bob Hess, stopped by to ask Lois to go out dancing. They were later engaged on Valentine’s Day and married two days later on February 16, 1967. That union was blessed with two children – Amy and Molly. Lois and Bob farmed together as they raised their young family on the A-Heart Ranch in St. John, Idaho. They later sold their farm and moved their family to Malad.
Lois was an active member of her community. She loved her many years working at the Allen Drug where she was able to interact with old and new friends alike. She also enjoyed attending and rooting for the Malad High School sports teams that her children and grandchildren participated in. Lois also did all she could to support local businesses as she was very proud of calling Malad home.
Lois’ greatest joys in life came from being with her family and friends to support and love them in every way she could. Lois had a powerful testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved serving those around her in any way she could, which was often through countless loaves of bread she baked and delivered to ward members while serving as Relief Society President in the St. John Ward. She was grateful for the opportunity to serve the children of her ward in the Primary as she always had a special love for helping children. She would never pass up an opportunity to hold a baby and even crocheted a blanket for every single great-grandchild (there are a lot of them!).
Lois is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bob Hess; her six children and their spouses Kelly (and Connie) Kent, Cindy (and Jim) Gleason, Kenalee (and Terry) Mair, Kurtis (and Misty) Kent, Amy (and Mark) Thomas, and Molly (and Tony) Whitman; her 24 grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Grandma Hois”; 60 great-grandchildren who all knew and adored her. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Betty, Camille, and Hazel Gambles, brother-in-law Hal Luke, stepsister Iris Kay Young (and her husband Larry), and adopted brother Jay Devashrayee (and his wife Kiersten).
She is preceded in death by her husband Kenneth and son Dee Kent, her parents, her brothers Theron, Harry, Milton, Phil, and Paul Gambles, and her sisters Barbara Luke and Marilyn Child.
The funeral for Lois will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 6 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building located at 400 N 200 W in Malad, Idaho. A viewing in her honor will be held before the funeral from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lois will be interred in the St. John Cemetery.