Lois Todhunter

Lois E. Todhunter, age 80, of Grand Forks, formerly of Highland, CA, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks with family at her side. Lois Allen Etheridge was born on October 23, 1929 in Baltimore, MD. She was the only child of Dr. William Allen Etheridge, DDS and Elsa Masius Etheridge. She graduated from Eastern High School in 1947, followed by three years of study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. After graduating she served in the Women's Air Force where she met and married Kenneth Ivan Todhunter who was also serving in the United States Air Force. Their union produced two sons, Kenneth Michael and Paul Etheridge. Early in her marriage she worked as a church organist, choir director, and chaplain's assistant for the USAF. While serving in the military, the family was stationed in Savannah, GA, Middle River, MD, Rome, NY, Sacramento, CA, and San Bernardino, CA. Later she was one of the first female mail carriers for the U.S. Postal Service in Highland, CA. Other occupations Lois held include retail assistant at Goodwill Industries, bookkeeper for a produce company, and secretary to the Tax Assessor for San Bernardino County. Lois encouraged the importance of education to her sons, and also by example; at the age of 50 she earned her Associate in Arts degree from San Bernardino Valley College. After living in Highland, CA for over 40 years, she relocated to Grand Forks, bringing her beloved cat, Fluff, along with her. Shortly after her arrival she adopted a second cat, Inky, to whom she was equally devoted until the end of her life. During her seven years in Grand Forks, she found great pleasure in attending the recitals and concerts of her four grandchildren. She also enjoyed the services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Grand Forks. She is survived by her sons, Kenneth Michael (Virginia) of Pocatello, ID and Paul Etheridge (Deborah) of Grand Forks; five grandchildren, Noe Fo of Tacoma, WA, Nathaniel, Emily, Ryan, and Rachel of Grand Forks; and two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Rebecca of Tacoma, WA. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10:30 am at Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, with visitation following the service. Interment will be at Moreland Memorial Park Cemetery, Baltimore, MD.