Lois M. Grange

Lois was married to LTG (R) David E. Grange, Jr. for 77 years, a mother for 76 years to David, Suzanne, and Holly, and an Army Wife for 42 years. She was the daughter of three generations of Soldiers, sister to a Sailor, and mother to many in the Military Community. Born during the Great Depression, her first home was in a rented, dirt-floor garage. Her Family’s first owned home, which she shared with her brother and two sisters, was in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY with an outhouse for a bathroom, a kitchen pump for water, and a wood stove for heat. Her childhood experiences during the Depression, her father’s WWII deployment, and her school duty as an enemy aircraft lookout along the Long Island coast shaped her values for life: sharing everything, duty to family, humility, inviting all—regardless of status, and love for country. Lois married her high school sweetheart, “Bud” Grange, right after he returned from WWII. As an Army wife of a soldier from PFC to LTG, she moved with and supported him and their assigned units throughout the United States, Germany, and Korea. She supported her Army Family at home through WWII, the Korean War twice, and for three tours during the Vietnam War.

Lois hosted everyone from Ranger Private to Secretary of the Army in her home at Riverside, sat alongside President and Nancy Reagan at Normandy, and honored Queen Elizabeth in San Francisco when stationed at The Presidio. She was gracious to all, regardless of rank or position, and always represented her family and the United States as an extraordinary Army Wife. Lois served on every post as a volunteer and mentor to many, setting the example for all to follow.

Lois M. Grange will be missed by many – Family, Soldiers, and friends. She was the epitome of a mom, an Army Wife, and an aweinspiring American citizen.