Lois Lynne Kinsley

Lois was born on Aug. 21, 1944, in Quincy, Oregon, to Arni and Edna (Ilmari) Leinonen. She graduated from Clatskanie High School in 1962, and received a diploma from Northwestern School of Commerce in 1964.

Lois has two brothers, Gary and Larry “Mike” Leinonen, and one sister, Ramona; Larry and Ramona preceded her in passing. In 1964, Lois married Larry Saranpaa and had four children, Kirk, Brett, Bryce and Nikki. Kirk passed away as an infant. They were married for 10 years before divorcing in 1974.

Lois went on to marry Monte Kinsley, to whom she remained married to until his death in 1999. Monte had four children, Carla, Mike, Cindy and Christie. In 1975, Lois and Monte started a farm named Midoaks Jersey Farm in Brownsmead, Oregon, which remained in business until 2004.

Lois enjoyed reading, being involved in her grandchildren’s activities, playing bunco with her friends and meeting with her “over the hill gang” (you know who you are). Lois took pride in the accomplishments of all her grandchildren, and they all loved her dearly.

Lois was one of those people who always found the best in everyone, and had a smile for every stranger. She has supported her family throughout life without question, and loved her friends and family the same. She loved her time working at the Oregon Youth Authority with troubled youth; she believed that they all could lead successful lives.

She looked forward to going to work at Warrenton Elementary School, working in the special needs classroom, and she talked nonstop of the accomplishments of each child she worked with. Lois also spent time as a hospice caregiver, showing compassion to her friends until their last days. Lois would like everyone to remember to be kind, love and forgive.

Surviving are her brother, Gary Leionen and wife Connie; daughter, Nikki Fowler–Saranpaa and fiancé Richard Proctor; Carla Kinsley; Mike and Christine Kinsley; Cindy and Bryan Bunch; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews (I wish I could list everyone).

She was preceded in death by her children, Kirk, Brett and Bryce Saranpaa; stepdaughter Christie Rees, granddaughter Krista Ibanez; brother Larry Leinonen; and sister Ramona Buckhalter.

Funeral services will be held at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary on Aug. 20, 2016, at noon, followed by a celebration of life at the Warrenton Community Center.