1917
Lois
2014
Lois Samuelson White
August 3, 1917 — July 16, 2014
Lois Hulda Marie Samuelson White, 96, of Dunedin, FL, formerly Champaign, Illinois, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, July 16, 2014. She passed away at home under the care of her family and Hospice.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 25 at 3PM at the First Baptist Church at Savoy, 1602 S. Prospect at Burwash, Savoy, IL. Visitation will be from 1-3PM at the church. Burial will be at Andover Cemetery, Andover, Illinois on Saturday, July 26 at 1 PM. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy or to the Augustana Lutheran Church (Andover, Illinois) Organ Fund.
Lois was born on August 3, 1917, in Lynn Center, IL, the daughter of good Swedes, Titus and Mabel Broberg Samuelson.
She married Dr. Lucien W. White on August 6, 1949. He preceded her in death on March 6, 1975.
Lois was a beloved and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved being with her family. She was active in the church and community. Born into a musical family, Lois was known for her gift of music, which she studied at Augustana College, The University of Illinois and in Grenoble, France. She composed, arranged and performed music her entire life. She passed up a professional career in classical piano in favor of her family, but music continued to be a passion and gift. In the 1930's, 40's and 50's she sang in a trio called The Melodettes, who had a weekly radio show and performed at gala events throughout the Quad Cities. Lois met her husband, the late Dr. Lucien White, at Augustana College where she was the Executive Secretary to the Comptroller and Dr. White was a Foreign Language Professor and Head of the Augustana College Library. When they relocated to Champaign in 1958, they immediately joined the First Baptist Church where Lois ultimately became the church organist, following in her mother's footsteps. She retired as organist in 2004 but continued performing musically throughout the Champaign-Urbana area until she moved to Florida to be with her children in 2009.
Lois's servant's heart was evidenced in her volunteer service in the community with Meals on Wheels, Champaign County Nursing Home Music program, Champaign Public Library homebound delivery and more. She won numerous honors and awards for her service. She was also a member of The Etude Mozart Club, The Champaign Social Science Club, The Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Andover Historical Society, Augustana College Alumni Association, Friends of the Champaign Public Library, Friends of the University of Illinois Library, Champaign Urbana Symphony Guild, American Baptist Woman's Society, Dorcas Circle and Bible Study Fellowship through which she started her own neighborhood Bible study.
Most importantly, Lois loved the Lord. She shared her faith openly and in the way she lived her life. She was loved not only for the music that she made but, for the music that she was.
Survivors include
Son David White (Francisca)
Daughter Elizabeth White
Grandson Michael White (Mary)
Grandson L Cpl. Felipe Mangabeira, USMC
Nieces Karen White Avalos, Marilyn White Lowe
Nephews Roger White and Steve White and countless grand nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one nephew.
Online condolences may be left for her family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 25 at 3PM at the First Baptist Church at Savoy, 1602 S. Prospect at Burwash, Savoy, IL. Visitation will be from 1-3PM at the church. Burial will be at Andover Cemetery, Andover, Illinois on Saturday, July 26 at 1 PM. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy or to the Augustana Lutheran Church (Andover, Illinois) Organ Fund.
Lois was born on August 3, 1917, in Lynn Center, IL, the daughter of good Swedes, Titus and Mabel Broberg Samuelson.
She married Dr. Lucien W. White on August 6, 1949. He preceded her in death on March 6, 1975.
Lois was a beloved and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved being with her family. She was active in the church and community. Born into a musical family, Lois was known for her gift of music, which she studied at Augustana College, The University of Illinois and in Grenoble, France. She composed, arranged and performed music her entire life. She passed up a professional career in classical piano in favor of her family, but music continued to be a passion and gift. In the 1930's, 40's and 50's she sang in a trio called The Melodettes, who had a weekly radio show and performed at gala events throughout the Quad Cities. Lois met her husband, the late Dr. Lucien White, at Augustana College where she was the Executive Secretary to the Comptroller and Dr. White was a Foreign Language Professor and Head of the Augustana College Library. When they relocated to Champaign in 1958, they immediately joined the First Baptist Church where Lois ultimately became the church organist, following in her mother's footsteps. She retired as organist in 2004 but continued performing musically throughout the Champaign-Urbana area until she moved to Florida to be with her children in 2009.
Lois's servant's heart was evidenced in her volunteer service in the community with Meals on Wheels, Champaign County Nursing Home Music program, Champaign Public Library homebound delivery and more. She won numerous honors and awards for her service. She was also a member of The Etude Mozart Club, The Champaign Social Science Club, The Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Andover Historical Society, Augustana College Alumni Association, Friends of the Champaign Public Library, Friends of the University of Illinois Library, Champaign Urbana Symphony Guild, American Baptist Woman's Society, Dorcas Circle and Bible Study Fellowship through which she started her own neighborhood Bible study.
Most importantly, Lois loved the Lord. She shared her faith openly and in the way she lived her life. She was loved not only for the music that she made but, for the music that she was.
Survivors include
Son David White (Francisca)
Daughter Elizabeth White
Grandson Michael White (Mary)
Grandson L Cpl. Felipe Mangabeira, USMC
Nieces Karen White Avalos, Marilyn White Lowe
Nephews Roger White and Steve White and countless grand nieces and nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one nephew.
Online condolences may be left for her family by visiting esterdahl.com.
Visitation Details
Friday, July 25th, 2014, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Service Details
Friday, July 25th, 2014, 3:00pm
Interment Details
Andover Cemetery
To send flowers to the family in memory of Lois Samuelson White, please visit our flower store.