Lois Faye Fields

She was born on July 30, 1924 to Harry J. and Inez V. Randall.   She was one of ten children (Evelyn, Charlotte, Irma, Blanche, Harry Jr., Walter, Joyce, Inez and Douglas) who grew up in a small house on East Gorham Street in Madison.   She graduated from East High School in 1941 and attended Eau Claire Teacher's College.   Due to the impact of World War II, she returned home from college to Madison and was employed as a teletypist at the Old Milwaukee Railroad Depot on West Washington Avenue.   It was there that she met the love of her life, our Dad, John ""Jack"" Fields who was stationed at Truax Field serving as a Military Policeman in the Air Force.   After a whirlwind courtship, they were united in marriage on June 18, 1944 and from this love came their children Jeffrey Fields, Jennifer Fields (deceased), James (Cyndi) Fields and Patricia (James) Troha.   They were further blessed with their grandchildren:   Sarah Marie Fields (deceased), Eaamon Fields (Roxanne Zander), John Fields (Nicole Salazar), Ali Kohler-Fields, Brie Dixon (Neil), Chase Fields, Danielle Goss and Sasha Troha, and eight great-grandchildren:   Christopher Fields, Emanuel Fields, Kaisa Fritz (deceased), Alexis Fritz,   Ayrianna   Dixon, Calysta Orvis, Jovanni Fields and Jacella Fields.   She is also survived by a very loved former daughter-in-law, Pat Lefevour. After several years of marriage, Mom and Dad finally settled down into what would be our family home on South Mills Street.   Growing up, everything was possible and within our reach because of Mom's love.   Our home was always a gathering place for all our friends, with Mom and Dad at the center, not only providing a warm home but also sharing in the fun.   During those years, she served and participated as President of the PTA at Longfellow Elementary School, Coordinator in the Student Exchange Program, and Cub Scout and Brownie Troop Leader.   She also worked as a school crossing guard at the corner of Regent and Mills Street (Big and Little Grocery Store).   Later, as we grew and began to spread our wings, Mom went back to work full-time as a surgical nurse at UW-Hospitals from where she retired in 1976.   Following her retirement, and with our Dad at her side, they worked together to restore a historic farmhouse built in 1832 located outside   Wiota, Wisconsin.   They turned this labor of love into their dream home.   There, Mom thrived in the beauty and nature of the country where she created exquisite flower and vegetable gardens.    This home is where they spent some of the best years of their lives together along with their children and grandchildren until our father's passing in June 1996.   Our Mother was a fiercely independent and private woman who dedicated her entire life to her husband and family ... she was always there to nurse a cut, soothe hurt feelings, listen, guide, share a laugh, and most of all -- love of us unconditionally.   She was not only our loving mother, but also our dearest confidante and friend.   No matter what challenges life offered to us, they were always surmountable because of her guided strength, wisdom, encouragement, love and life's lessons well taught.   Her final lesson and legacy was that of incredible love to her family and dignity, grace and courage in facing the diagnosis of terminal cancer -- she faced it with a positive resolve and told us that she would be strong for us and that we were to remain strong for her ... she kept her word. No words will ever be able to express how much our lives will be forever changed without her presence ... she will be dearly missed, always loved and remain forever in our hearts with our Dad.   We thank God for the gift of her life and blessing us with a beautiful woman who we cherished and were honored to call our ""Mom"".   We love you Mom ... your family will remember and keep your lasting words spoken at your bedside.   You are now in God's hands and with Dad.   We would like to send our deepest appreciations to the doctors, nurses and staff at University Hospitals who cared for our Mom and helped all of us in her final journey.   Funeral services conducted by Monsignor Thomas Baxter will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road at NOON.   Visitation at 10:30 AM until the time of the funeral service.