Lois Marie (Flowers) Child

  Our beloved Lois Marie Child (nee Flowers) peacefully passed into the arms of her loved ones who went before her on Monday, October 27, 2025, after a valiant 22-year struggle against several different kinds of cancer.  Our “walking miracle” broke all the rules of medicine by spending a few decades thriving, basking in the adoration of her large family and making annual bucket loads of her famous Christmas caramel corn after her first cancer diagnosis.  Lois refused to allow her illness to define her; we all knew her as a nurse, dedicated volunteer, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cherished friend-not as a patient.  She died surrounded by loved ones and many other family and friends showered her with love in the last week of her life as her battle drew to a close.  Her Chief of Staff, Rancher on Duty, and the love of her life, Bill Child, tirelessly and selflessly saw to her every need and comfort in her final week as he had their whole married lives. 

  Lois Marie Flowers was born in Emmett, Idaho on February 8, 1942 to Wilma Lillian (nee Mitchell) and Arthur Jake “Babe” Flowers.  She was the baby of the family, but Lois was known for her life-long humility.  She never let being the baby go to her head.  Her three siblings were all between thirteen and eight years older than she was.  The family stayed in Emmett until Lois was 8 years old when her father tragically died.  Wilma then took her four babies to John Day, Oregon where she worked as a cook on a ranch owned by her brother, Jim Mitchell.  Eventually, Wilma remarried Joe Pyle and the family returned to Emmett, Idaho but Lois continued to spend as much time as possible on the ranch and grew up alongside a group of Mitchell cousins, including Larry “Zip”, Carolyn and Sammy.

  Lois married Harland “Ed” Chadwell at 16 and then found the love of her love in Kenneth Bill Child of Ogden, Utah in 1981.  Despite the fact that Lois and Bill had both sworn off marriage, they bowed to fate and married within four months of meeting.  When talking about how she met Bill, she always mused that she was “looking for a king and somehow landed a joker”, but she was just as quick to beam with pride and love whenever her twin-flame came up in conversation.  Early in their marriage, Lois turned to as-needed nursing for work so she could join Bill in his adventures across America as a long-haul trucker.  She loved being Bill’s sidekick on the road in the “big big truck,” as their granddaughter called his big rig.  Toward the end of her life, Lois explained to anyone who needed to know that Bill was her “Shot-Caller.”  He was her protector and advocate for all of their 43 years and precisely 8 months in the bonds of marriage. 

  Lois and Bill’s love was special and rare and one of defining joys of her life.  Their blended family totaled 7 children, 16 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, for a total of 55 grandchildren, each and every one of whom will miss her to the moon and back.  Lois is survived by her husband, Kenneth Bill Child; three of her children, Michael Ray Chadwell, Teresa Marie Williams (Chadwell), Brian Edward Chadwell; and her bonus sons with her husband, Chet and Jusitn Child.  She also leaves behind a large and bereaved extended family including nieces, Kathy, Sandy and Laurie; nephews, Dennis, Bill and Greg; and many cousins who may as well have been siblings.  Lois will be sorely missed by the many friends who shared a special sisterhood with her as volunteers at the Boise Assistance League or bond with her as nurses or healthcare providers.

  Nursing was one of Lois’ greatest passions.  She graduated from Boise State University as a Registered Nurse when she was 32 years old and was one of the first registered hemodialysis nurses in the state of Idaho.  She went on to set up the first dialysis unit in the state at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center with her partner and friend, Betty.  She held various key nursing roles at St. Alphonsus Hospital and the VA Medical Center for over 4 decades total.  Her amazing sense of humor and love for her patients made her a beloved figure to both her coworkers and her patients.  One of her greatest points of pride and honor was that two of her granddaughters, Kimberly and Erin, followed her footsteps into the nursing field.  Their combined love and skill brought Lois great comfort practically and in terms of morale in her final weeks. 

  The summertime Mitchell-Flowers Family Reunion in Wallowa Lake was one of Lois’ favorite can’t-miss events.  She loved travel generally, and it was a wonderful bonus for her when travel also came with the opportunity to torment her niece, Sandy with the latest cheeky prank to everyone’s delight.  She loved reconnecting with her family and schooling her granddaughters on how one properly pranks relatives.  Her trips to Jackpot with her dear sister Ceclie, her “Nurses,” and her “Cribbage Girls” were legendary.  It was one of her happiest places.  Over the years, Lois came out significantly in the black in Jackpot. 

  Lois was also a pillar of the holiday season for her family and friends who lived in the Magic and Treasure Valleys.  Her caramel corn was always in hot demand and the Christmas season did not begin until the buckets of sweet popcorn love had been distributed to friends and family.  Every year she would haul out a giant metal pot and its accompanying wooden spoon, which were almost as tall as she was.  The pot was a family heirloom that she used to make the world’s best mashed potatoes in quantity sufficient to feed her large crew of loved ones.  Her Christmas Eve celebrations with friends and family were a joy to all, and she always made sire to refresh her “Five Generations Picture” every year. 

  Lois was preceded in death by parents Wilma Pyle (Mitchell) and Arthur “Babe” Flowers; brother, Orland “Mick” Flowers; sister, Elaine Oster (Flowers); sone, David Lynn Chadwell and Ricky Child; grandson, Logan Child; granddaughter, Avenisha Chadwell and granddaughter, Baby Angie Getter.  Two of her dearest life-long friends also predeceased her:  when lois arrived Upstairs, Berta Mae Garrett and Ruby “Rube” O’Keeffe were no doubt sitting at the table impatient to resume their usual card game.  They had begun that card fame decades earlier as young mothers in Emmett, and resuming it in the Great Beyond was simply understood to be the plan.

  We will remember Lois for her sassy, sharp wit, her boundless compassion as a nurse, family matriarch, and friend, her unwavering kindness, her unstoppable spirit, and the unconditional love she took with her everywhere she went in the world.  Her love and laughter were infectious.  The coffee pot was always at least half full in case someone dropped by the house.  That was her way: always keep plenty of coffee, food, and hugs at the ready in case someone was in need.  She was our healer, our north star, our compass, our refuge, our guide and our sunshine. Our worlds will not be the same without her, but we are rich indeed to have had the opportunity to share in her love and stand in her light.  She was a blessing that improved each of her family members and friends and the magnitude of our loss is eclipsed only by the depth and breadth of our love for her. 

   There will be a viewing at Potter Funeral Chapel on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM with a funeral following at 12:00 PM and a burial at the Emmett Cemetery. 

  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Assistance League of Boise in Lois’ name.   

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