Lois Emilie Barke was gently and mercifully called home by our Lord on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 8:54am. Lois was born on October 30,1937 in Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, "Herbie"; their three children, Ralph, Steve and Emmy; as well as her younger brother, Tom; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her "adopted" extended family came to know her lovingly as mom or grandma. She was a kind person with a strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Family and friends meant everything to Lois. In her extra moments between being a mom and a school secretary she was very active in her community. She organized a homeowners group to prevent the city of Anaheim from creating a Metroport which would send air traffic directly over Orange neighborhoods. For this successful effort, Lois and her sister Mary Jane Blomgren were awarded the key to the City of Orange. When a developer petitioned the City to Orange to replace orange groves with industrial buildings, Lois fought to have the El Camino Real park created instead. Lois was a fierce advocate for her family and her community. Though her attitude never reflected it, her most difficult battles were with cancer. She was a five time cancer survivor who battled it in many incarnations over the course of 34 years. In these battles, she never complained or felt sorry for herself. Her love of the Lord and of life was plain for all to see. We will miss her contagious laugh and smile. There is sorrow in her passing but also great joy in the knowledge she is in Heaven with the Lord and with all of her loved ones who have gone before. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, April 8th at Beacon’s Bible Church in Encinitas, CA.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/barke-510796-orange-community.html

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to: St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Cancer Services 1100 W. Stewart Drive Orange, CA 92868 or Beacon's Bible Church http://beaconsbiblechurch.org