During her undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, she met George Coleman, and they became married upon her graduation. Lois worked within the Livermore, CA Unified School District until her family moved to Lincoln, NE where Lois began a long career as a Professor and Director of Elementary Education, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1970–1994.
Lois volunteered as president of the Nebraska Council for Teacher Education, Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 11, and the Alpha Delta Kappa. She was a member of the Nebraska Consortium for the Improvement of Teacher Education, American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, the International Reading Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, PDK International, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society.
Throughout her life, Lois and George traveled domestically and abroad, raising their children and sharing their love of hiking, backpacking, and canoeing across the mountains and waterways of these beautiful United States, most notably California, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. These pursuits continue through the generations.
In retirement, Lois fulfilled her academic appetite by volunteering with the Nebraska Department of Education and as a weekly Reading Tutor at Everett Elementary School. She arranged and relished many learning experience field trips with her grandchildren and enjoyed Scrabble, bridge, and reading clubs with friends. As a member of Eastridge Presbyterian Church, she served as an Elder, Deacon, and Chair of multiple committees.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband George Coleman, parents Albert and Fleda Tarleton, son-in-law Lester Harris and daughter-in-law Colleen Coleman.
Lois is survived by: her sons David and wife, Melanie; Thomas and wife Theresa; Daughter Margaret and husband Scott Severen; Grandchildren, Scott, Kelly, and Kevin Coleman, Mikaela and husband Clint Garrett, Michael Severen, Chris Severen and wife Valerie Bostwick, Kaytiann and husband Camelo Colca; and Great-Grandchildren Haley and Caden Garrett, Fay Colca.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Eastridge Presbyterian Church, Lincoln.
Memorials to Eastridge Presbyterian Church, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Saint Croix Hospice, Lincoln.