Lois Arlene Weldon, 83

Long time La Jara community member, Lois Arlene Weldon, passed away on April 28th while under Hospice care throughout this year with her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Minda Weldon, in their home in Austin TX. A memorial service will be held later in the year at the United Church of La Jara based on family travel availability.

Lois was born to Adolph and Alma Miller in Lansing Michigan on August 24, 1932. Her father was a skilled craftsman and machinist who worked a long career in automotive manufacturing. Her mother was a disciplined Missouri Synod Lutheran with three girls, Lois being the youngest, who made sure things were done with German cultural precision but with warmth communicated in robust physical embraces and good food.

Family stories of Lois’ childhood often focused on her mischievous streak and fierce independence. An example being that as a young adult her parents offered to aid her in college education, but with the caveat that she must work in her chosen profession for two years after graduation. Rather than accept that constraint, Lois chose to live and work independently before eventually pursuing a college degree on her own terms and paying her own way. She earned a degree in Business Education from the Eastern Michigan University, was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education as well as the Pi Omega Pi scholastic honor society. She later chose some adventure in making a move west to work in the Department of Education in Denver CO teaching secondary business and accounting courses.

While living in Denver she met, Richard Weldon, then a deputy sheriff for the City of Greeley. They married and moved to Collbran CO with their new young son, once Richard began his career with the State of Colorado as a Division of Wildlife Officer. A mandatory site assignment led them to move to La Jara CO in 1970 where they then chose to live the rest of their days.

Lois’ life always included work outside the home and active community service through church and volunteer organizations. She worked with Collbran Job Corps and enjoyed a long career with Conejos County Hospital administration once moving to La Jara.  In retirement Lois gave steadily and tirelessly to the community as Treasurer for the United Church of LaJara, a volunteer with the Conejos County Library, the Women’s Resource Center, Hospice del Valle, and La Puente.

She bicycled and took long mountain hikes even in her final CO summer. She was a skilled card player, commonly winning Bridge and Cribbage tournaments, a good game player with grandsons, and a pretty fun Grandma overall who will much missed. She is preceded in death by Richard in 2010, her eldest sister, Marilyn, in 1979 and is survived by her elder sister Lorraine, son Matt, daughter-in-law Minda and three grandsons: Benjamin, Evan and Marten Weldon.