Lois J. Chedsey

Lois Josephine (Schranz) Chedsey, 90 years young, passed away July 7th, 2026.

Lois was born Jan. 18th, 1936. She was raised on the same farm her father was born on in East St. Louis, Ill.

She met her husband, Leonard, through a coworker at her first job in St. Louis, Mo. He was in the army and stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. They married in Belleville, Ill. on April 12th, 1955. The newlywed couple moved to Greeley, Colo. so Leonard could finish his college studies.

In Oct. 1956 Lois gave birth to their first child, a son, Joseph. The next spring after he graduated, Leonard landed a job teaching photographic arts in Tucson, Ariz. They bought a new home in 1958. In May 1960, Lois gave birth to their first daughter Joni and then a second daughter Jacque in Jan. 1962.

Lois earned her H.S. diploma from St Teresa Academy, East St Louis, Ill. She was an administrative professional working for various companies and the school district over her lifetime until her retirement.

On Dec. 2nd, 1987, Lois’ husband Leonard passed away. Eight years later she met Daniel Dewey; they were companions for 27 years until his passing in Jan 2022.

In early 2026 she sold her family home of 68 years in Tucson. In April 2026 she moved from Arizona to Colorado to be closer to family.

Lois had several hobbies and interests which she carried throughout her life – gardening, cooking and sewing were a few. Her family always came first. She was a lifelong, devout Catholic. Lois led an engaged life that included membership in the “Lois Club”, belonging to the Phi Beta Psi Sorority Tucson Chapter, as well as being the secretary of the local NRA chapter. She loved traveling all of her life. Including international trips as well as numerous roadtrips- she had visited all 50 states!

She was preceded in death by her mother Elva J.(Fornie) Schranz and father Joseph L. Schranz, her sister Janet M.(Schranz) Schweppe, her husband Leonard J. Chedsey, her daughter Joni L. (Chedsey) Duran, and Daniel P. Dewey.

She is survived by her sister Judith E.(Schranz) Simonin, her son Joseph L. Chedsey, her daughter Jacque L. (Chedsey) Leach along with nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Interment to follow at a later date in Tucson, AZ.