Lois Ann Albertson, Born December 8th, 1954, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Leona and Jason Albertson,

Lois grew up on the family Dairy Farm where her father taught her to love and care for all animals.

Lois loved to ride her mare Topsy and any horse she could get on and some that would not let her on.

Lois attended a one-room schoolhouse for two years before going to public school. (Her first Teacher later performed her wedding ceremony when she married David Whitney in 1975.)

Lois graduated from high school in 1973.

She joined the Navy, attending recruit training at Naval Training Center Orlando.

She attended Aviation Electronics A School at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington, Tennessee.

She left the Navy in January of 1975 and is authorized to wear the National Defense Service Medal.

Married for 50 years to David Whitney. They married on 16 August 1975 in Morley Michigan

One Son Levi Whitney, born March 9, 1980. Whom she raised single-handedly while her David deployed with the Navy.

Lois attended college wherever the Navy took her family, attending college at Ventura community college, taking pre-med classes. After being selected and before entering Ventura’s  medical program, Lois left California, following her David across country to Jacksonville, Florida.

Later, Lois attended Jacksonville community college where she completed her studies to become a certified Respiratory Therapist.

Lois continued her studies and quickly attained the accreditation as Registered Respiratory Therapist as well as accreditations for Advanced Cardiac Life support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She worked at Memorial Hospital, Baptist Hospital, and Methodist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida before becoming a home health care case manager for the Dallas based company, Air Logix.

Lois loved to fish: deep sea, off a jetty, in a lake, or on a boat. It did not matter, as long as the line was wet.

Lois’ favorite pastime was walking the beach searching for Sharks Teeth. Always playfully competing with her David on who would find the most or largest teeth. Lois never lost.

Lois was a fierce supporter of the Navy family and their Sailors. She volunteered time to work for the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society. At every command her David was attached to, Lois volunteered and assisted other families whose husbands were also deployed.

A wife of 50 years, a Navy wife of 22 years, a mother for always, Lois placed her family first.

Lois was the mom with a van, who chauffeured countless kids across the state to bowling tournaments. If it wasn’t to a tournament it was on a surf trip to Coco Beach or a trip to an amusement park with a van full of Levi’s friends.

Lois is survived by her husband David Whitney of LaCosse, Florida, Her son Levi Whitney of Jacksonville, Florida, Her brother William Albertson of Greenville, Michigan, her sister Marilyn Fredlake of Athens, Tennessee, and her sister Carla Groom of Gutenberg, Iowa.

No public service will be held. The family is planning a future memorial at a place that holds great significance to Lois, Levi, and David.

I lieu of flowers the family would like to offer the chance to donate to the Nany and Marine Corp Relief Society. The sailors and their families were so important to Lois. (Link Below)

https://www.nmcrs.org/get-involved/donate

From Lois

I stood in the midst of a barren field,

And wondered what my life might yield.

What have I done upon this earth,

To prove my life was worth my birth?

What have I given to this life,

What have I done to ease the strife

And the pain of daily living.

I turned to look upon the sky,

And soon my heart began to fly,

For then I knew what I had done.

I’d been a loving wife to one.

Some day earth’s maker I shall meet,

And though my heart shall cease to beat

To that one man I’ll still be giving.

                                                 Lois Whitney

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