Lois Lucille Paulus (nee Frey), age 92, of Belleville, Illinois, passed into eternal life on May 20, 2020, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis, MO. from a stroke.   Lois was born on December 30, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late Theresa Frey (nee Wiebe) and the late Arthur Frey.

   A graduate of Lake View High in Chicago, class of 1945, Lois was joined in marriage on May 4, 1946, to her childhood sweetheart, the late Harold Joseph Paulus (deceased 2008) in a double wedding with her late sister Elaine Williamson (deceased 2019) and her late brother-in-law Billie Williamson (deceased 2015) at the New Apostolic Church in Chicago.  She was blessed with 62 years of marriage to Harold at the time of his death. 

   Lois retired from the Illinois Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T) in 1985 after 20 years of service.  She moved from Chicago to Flora, Illinois shortly after her retirement where she resided with Harold.  In 2012 she moved to Belleville, Illinois with her youngest daughter Carol Ann Paulus where she lived until her passing.  Lois loved music, having played flute in High School.  She sang Alto in the church choir for many years both in Chicago and later in Belleville.  She was a lifelong learner, having studied humanities and culinary arts in the Chicago junior college system and later attending numerous arts and crafts classes in Flora.  While in Flora, she spent many years volunteering at the local hospital and was a member of the local garden club both in Flora and in Belleville. 

   In the last few years, she enjoyed reading and solving puzzles both word and jigsaw. For many years, she was lovingly cared for by her youngest daughter, Carol Ann Paulus, who acted as caregiver, chef, and loving companion. 

   Lois is survived by her three children, Susan Wilson (Gary) of Palmyra, VA, Sharon Paulus-Kuester (Steve) of Northbrook, IL, and Carol Ann Paulus of Belleville, IL, as well as her five living grandchildren, Autumn Freitag (Bill) and Sarah Harris (John), daughters of Susan; and Adam, Benjamin, and Christopher Kuester, sons of Sharon. Two grandchildren, David Wilson and Gary Wilson Jr. preceded her into eternity.  She also has two living great granddaughters, Regina Marks, daughter of Autumn and Cora Harris, daughter of Sarah.  She was preceded into eternity by her parents, Arthur and Theresa Frey, her sister, Elaine Williamson, her husband, Harold Paulus, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

   Due to the coronavirus, we will be celebrating Lois’ life in a memorial service at a future point in time.  Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora assisted the family with arrangements.  To share a memory or condolence visit: www.frankandbright.com