Lois Louise Book

Lois Louise Book was born May 16, 1928 at 2:47 a.m. in Whittier, California; at the old Murphy Memorial Hospital, which is now part of Whittier College. She was the third child of Fred and Margaret Bethurum. She had two older brothers, Bob and Ronald. She started school at Lydia Jackson located on Painter Avenue. Her family moved back to Colorado for two years where she attended Irkinbeck Elementary for first and second grades. Upon returning to Whittier, she went to John Greenleaf School for third through fifth grades and then went to Jonathan Bailey School for sixth through eighth grades. She graduated from Whittier Union High School in 1946 and was very proud that her brother Bob returned home from the Navy to see her graduate. She attended Southern California Bible College in 1948 in Costa Mesa, California where she made many friends including a long-time friend of 61 years, Pastor Ronald Prinzing.She liked history as she loved reading about ancient cultures. She didn't care too much for Algebra though. When she wasn't reading she enjoyed archery and girl's soccer. She loved the family vacations they would take each summer back to her grandfather's farm in Colorado. She and her best friend, Ruby Weaver, did everything together, playing Monopoly, and even occasionally going to a movie which was forbidden in the Bethurum household. Lois grew up in a very spiritual family that attended Church regularly. Her mother and father honored God by putting their religion into practice in their daily life. Helping others anytime with a meal or a place to stay was how the Bethurum's showed their faith daily. That spiritual heritage of faith in God became a life lesson she would pass on to her children later in life.Her love of travel and experiencing other cultures led her to take a memorable trip to Europe and the Hawaiian Islands with her friend Beverly Murphy Barron. Here she fell in love with the islands and finally was able to return later in her life. She loved Europe so much she decided to stay in France working at the U.S. Embassy for two years. Upon her return to Whittier she began dating a family friend that had grown-up with her and her brothers. Cyrus Lavelle Book proposed to her six-months later and they told her family at her birthday dinner. For an engagement present she did not receive the traditional diamond ring but instead got a 1959 Corvette. They were married on September 12, 1959, at Rose Hills' Hillside Chapel in Whittier. They moved into Cyrus' bachelor pad on 14th Street in Santa Monica, California, which Lois had to fix up to make it a home. Lois continued to work at Charles R. Hadley in downtown Los Angeles, and Cyrus was running his printing business, Pacific Graphics.Eleven months later in 1960, they were blessed with their first child, Christopher. They moved back to Whittier and two years later in 1962 another son came into the Book household, Michael. As the family grew the couple moved into a new housing tract in West Covina, California. Here Lois raised the two boys and kept the household running. After a few years they decided to move back to Whittier to be close to family and friends.In 1966 a third child came on the scene and this time Lois finally got a little girl, Margaret Denise. Three children to raise and a house to care for was a full-time occupation for Lois. These were happy times for her as she lovingly focused her attention on raising her children. Family trips and outings to the drive-in movies were now the highlights of her life.In 1967 Lois had to deal with her father's lung cancer and his ultimate death. Then in 1969 her husband got sick with a brain aneurism and could not work. He was in and out of hospitals for six years and she became household provider instead of housewife. Lois was able to get by with the loving assistance of her mother and family. The long illness put extreme pressure on her. She was up to the task. Being extremely strong in her faith and work ethic she worked during the day and went to school at night to keep the family together, without ever going on welfare. Every bill was paid in full because of her sacrifice and persistence in taking care of her family. In 1975 Cyrus passed away and Lois moved the family to the house on Sunrise Drive. Being a single parent was never easy but she always gave her children everything they needed for success in life. Education was most important to her, she insisted on regular church attendance and being active in school and church activities. With all she had to do she always found time to take the children to museums, concerts, sporting events, and family vacations. Lois truly held the family together and did an outstanding job of raising three college graduates all with post-graduate studies. This is an amazing feat for an extraordinary woman.After 36 years of working for Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, California, she retired in 2005 and began to enjoy her family full-time. Her four grandchildren became her focus, Jillian, Jonathan, Travis and Avery. She loved spending time with her family and going places with them. These included the beach, Long Beach Aquarium, the Getty Museum, Tony Bennett Concerts, and going out to eat.Lois lived, loved, laughed, and in spite of adversity left a legacy of kindness, generosity and goodness that is a testament to her years of sacrifice, and faithfulness to her family and those around her.Lois is survived by her three children, Christopher, Michael, and Denise, her daughter-in-law Kandace, her son-in-law Jayson, and her four grandchildren Jillian, Jonathan, Travis, and Avery.A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2010 at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier, California 90601. Viewing will take place at the service. You may leave a message of condolence for the family by selecting 'Sign Guestbook' at the top of this page.