Lois spent eight of her growing-up years in Lahore, Pakistan, where her parents were missionaries. From there she came to OSU and earned a B.A. in General Home Economics. Most of her work experience has been in elementary schools in Iowa—working in an elementary library, an audiovisual center and in the main office. Her most recent international experience was a trip to China in February 2007 to visit her son, daughter-in-law and new granddaughter.