Lois Nichols McLean • 1914 - 2005

Lois Nichols McLean, 91, Minot, died Friday, October 28, 2005, in a Minot nursing home.

Lois was born March 15, 1914 in Stephen, MN the daughter of Clarence and Margaret Eastburn. At the age of two she moved with her family to Bartlett, ND where her father owned and managed the local grocery store. Lois attended grade school in Bartlett and graduated from Lakota High
School with honors. Following graduation she attended two years of Business College in Devils Lake.

Lois worked at the Farmer's Union Oil Company in Cando as a bookkeeper where she met her future husband. In 1937 she married Burnell Mabie and to this union three sons and one daughter were born. They lived in Cando and later moved to a farm near Crosby where they lived for a time before moving to Columbus where Burnell was the manager for Burke Divide REA. On January
17, 1954 Burnell passed away.

On May 4, 1955 Lois married Vernon Nichols in Kenmare, ND. Mr. Nichols was widowed and had 4 children from a previous marriage. They made their home in Crosby and in the mid 70's purchased a home in Alamo, TX, where they spent the winter months. Vernon died in 1986. Following Vernon's death Lois continued to live in Alamo, Texas.

In 1991 she married Kenneth McLean in Minot, ND. They lived in both Virginia and Alamo. Kenneth died in 1996. Lois lived in Alamo until 1999 when she moved to Minot and lived at Edgewood Vista until September of 2003 when she moved to Trinity Homes.

Lois will be remembered for her beautiful flower gardens, homemade candy that she made and gave out at Christmas time. She loved traveling and cruising and over the years has visited close to 70 countries, many times accompanied by children or grandchildren. She loved sewing and embroidered
many pictures, pillows and table cloths. While raising her children she was a 4-H Leader, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Leader and taught the pre-school Sunday school class for many
years. While in Alamo, Texas she was a member of the "Great Gals" which was a group of ladies that did volunteer and service work for the underprivileged children. Lois also volunteered many hours with the Trinity Auxiliary in Minot by knitting dish cloths for the gift shops. She loved playing cards and working puzzle books. At the age of 60 she learned how to ride a bicycle and since that time wore out three bikes.

Lois was a loving mother and grandmother and will be missed by all of her family.

Survivors: Children, Richard (Carrole) Mabie, Seattle, WA, and their children, Mark, Stephen, Richie and Elizabeth; Doug (Syl-Vonna) Mabie, Raleigh, NC, and their children, Bryan, Michelle, Kevin and Craig; Ron (Marietta) Mabie, Pickstown, SD; and Marjorie (Edward) Peterson, Minot, and
their children, Amber and Brenden; brother, George (Doris) Eastburn of Sharon, ND; 8 great grand children and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Lois was preceded in death by her husbands, Burnell Mabie, Vernon Nichols and Kenneth McLean; brother, Rev. Harold Eastburn and sister, Dorothy Eastburn.

Funeral: Thursday, November 3, 2005, at 11:00 a.m., at Minot Church of
Christ.

Visitation: Thursday one hour prior to the service in the church.

Burial: Thursday at 2:30 p.m., at Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare, ND.

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