Lois Mitts-Helt was born on October 16, 1924 in Vancouver, WA. She passed away in her sleep in Milwaukie, OR on December 1, 2025 at the age of 101.

Lois was born to Aloysius and Clara Lechtenberg. She was the youngest of five children. Lois had two brothers (Laverne and Gerald) and two sisters (Gladys and Irma). All of her siblings predeceased her.

Lois grew up on a family farm near Vancouver that bordered the Columbia River. She was instilled with a hard work ethic at an early age. Everyone had their own chores. Lois attended public schools until 7th grade, when she entered Providence Academy. She graduated high school in 1942. Following high school, Lois worked for three years to save money in order to attend Seattle College (now Seattle University). While at college she met Johnny Mitts. They were married in June 1948. Following college, Johnny went to work for Great Northern Railroad. Shortly thereafter, he took a job with SP&S Railroad (now Burlington Northern) and the family moved to Portland, which was closer to Lois’s family.

Lois and Johnny had five children: Richard in May 1951; Tim in January 1954; Linda in June 1955; Dennis in December 1957 and Beth in July 1968. The family moved into their long-time residence on 17th Ave. in southeast Portland in 1968. John quit working for the railroad in the mid-1960s in order to acquire his own business—Interstate Beer Equipment Service. Lois worked full-time while her children were growing up. Her longest tenure was with Giesy, Greer & Gunn Insurance. She continued working full-time until her retirement at age 65 in 1989.

Their son Dennis was tragically killed in an industrial accident in 1982. John developed lung cancer 1987. Lois remained faithfully at his side until he succumbed in 1988. Both Dennis and his father died on March 20th.

Lois enjoyed playing cards, specifically Bridge, which she learned from visits with John’s family. She and John participated in two organized “leagues” and made some lifelong “Bridge” friends. Even after John’s passing, Lois partnered with another widow and continued playing for a number of years. Lois did not travel extensively but she made three memorable international trips—one with John to New Zealand/Fiji in 1986, one with her sister Irma to Germany/Hungary and another with Irma to Ireland in 2000.

Lois met Roland (Bob) Helt in 1989. Bob was immediately enamored by Lois’s kind and unselfish personality. She agreed to marry, but only on the condition that Bob convert to Catholicism. They were married in December 1989. Lois and Bob enjoyed traveling around the country by car, visiting his relatives and exploring national parks and other significant places of interest that Lois had never seen before. Bob passed away in 2000.

Lois sold the family home in 2012. She moved in with her daughter Linda and her husband. She spent six pleasant years there until a stroke forced her to move to an assisted living facility in 2017. She remained there for eight years until her death. We want to acknowledge the exceptional care she received at the care home—L&C Adult Care Home. Her caregivers—Lidia, Constantine, Mary and Ronke—made the final years of her life as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

Lois is survived by her sons Richard and Tim (Sonu) & daughters Linda Pagano (Mark) and Beth Drummen (Jeff). She has eight grandchildren (Melissa Moore; Steven Mitts; Angie, Anthony and Joseph Pagano; and Keanu, Kyle and Hannah Drummen) and 11 great grandchildren.

Lois will be remembered for her dedication to family, unselfish nature, constant support, and ever-present, pleasant personality. She always offered a strong shoulder to lean on and was never judgmental. Her unwavering faith was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Lois spent 101 years on this earth but is now in a better place. She will be greatly missed but forever in our hearts and fond memories.

The family asks that remembrances be made to St. Agatha Catholic Church or St. Agatha School.