Lois Ruth Kunkel Roth

Lois Roth was born August 27, 1921, on a small farm in Southern Idaho to Ruth Chandler Kunkel and Dale DeForest Kunkel, the only daughter of 5 children.  Her mother Ruth valued education and independence, especially for women, and all siblings received the equivalent of a Master’s degree in their chosen field. Not only did her mother, Ruth, work hard on the farm, feeding every rider from the trains that stopped by during the depression in the 1930’s, but she taught the local school children, killed her own chickens and harvested her own garden.  Ruth never taught Lois to cook, instead she endowed her with the gift of education and time to read everything she could. 

Lois's grandmother Mamie Guitard Chandler, of Irish and French descent, was one of the original resident/volunteers at Hull House in Chicago with Jane Adams.  Mom continued that legacy of social service for the advocacy of women and children to span 6 generations.  For information, please Google “Hull House.” 

As a young bride Lois traveled across the US from one military base to another, two kids and two suitcases in tow, while her husband Doug taught flying in the Army Air Corps during World War 2.  She endured Doug’s stint as a stunt pilot of some renown, as a police officer, an Air Force officer, and as a pharmacist.

Along with being a wife to Douglas Roth and mother of two, Lois became a registered nurse, taking after her aunt, Dorothy Chandler Thometz.  Her first procedure after taking over the Emergency Room at the old Salt Lake County General Hospital, was to paint the walls so they weren’t so depressing.  She taught nursing at “Trade Tech” the precursor to Salt Lake Community College.  She received her MSW and worked for Salt Lake School District until her retirement. Lois along with her husband was also the founder/co-owner of Pied Piper Nursery School for 30 years and the Hyland Pharmacy. 

Family folklore has arisen around her adventures as she traveled the world. We can only speculate about the legend of the “GIA;” Grannies Intelligence Agency.   The first known incident was during the Korean War when Douglas was transferred to Newfoundland.  Russian subs were in the harbor and Lois was followed through the streets of St John’s by the Russians.  She began traveling extensively after Doug's death in 1975.  She rode elephants in India, donkeys in Petra, swam in the fiords, motorcycled in New Zealand, hung out with the Maori, and hot air ballooned in Australia.  We all thought she was just seeing the world but coincidently she was in Tiananmen Square at the time of the student uprising in China, and Nigeria during the start of their revolution.  She traveled to Russia as the Soviet Union fell apart, went to Berlin and the wall came down.  After she traveled to England, Margaret Thatcher resigned, and Mount Etna blew while she was in Italy.  She had a trip scheduled for the Red Sea, but the Gulf war broke out.  She flew on a plane alongside Jimmy Carter right after 9/11, fearless as always.  We really worried when she scheduled a trip to Antarctica and we became aware of melting ice caps and climate change.  Coincidence?  Soon after, she resigned from the GIA.  

Lois loved above-the-rim black raspberry shakes, collecting local art and books on her various travels.  Her home was full of beautiful china from around the world and included mementoes when Queen Elizabeth was still a princess and mom met her as an officers’ wife in Newfoundland.   She won a few trophies in ballroom dancing but never wanted us to know about that hidden pleasure.  She enjoyed reading trashy novels, playing UNO, War, and Fish with her great grand children and her great, great grand children. The Utah Symphony and Pioneer Theatre benefited from her regular presence for years and she served on their boards.  She was a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi, Pi Beta Phi and the Order of the Eastern Star. 

Lois was kind, giving, cared for many family members, and was generous to many special causes.  Many nieces, nephews, and family members lived under her roof during transitions in their lives and stayed close during the years.  Everyone was welcome in her home. 

Preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Dale Kunkel, her brothers; Scott Kunkel, John Kunkel, Paul Kunkel, and James Kunkel, (Col, USAF), and by her husband Douglas E. Roth, (Maj, USAF).  Survived by her family members:  daughter, Carolyn R. Sanders (John Wood) Salt Lake; son Douglas E. Roth, Jr. (Marga Smith) Pt. Townsend, WA; Grandchildren, Robyn S. Chandlier (Bill Parkinson)Salt Lake; Kristie Dale Sanders (Gregory Shepherd), Weehawken, NJ; Pascaline Roth (Jeremiah Brown), Seattle, WA; Erik Roth (Rhonda Roth), Boise, ID; and Laurel Zeeman (Mark Zeeman) Cape Town, So Africa .  Great grandchildren: Kimberly Mitchell (Brian Mitchell) Alex Kerhli, Porter Zeeman, Morgan Roth, and Jason Shepherd.  Great Great grandchildren:  Charlie Reopelle, Abigail Strong, David Tsosie, Sequoya Tsosie, Mason Mitchell and Isabel Mitchell.

Mom was surrounded during her closing scene with family from around the country. Now she is off on her next great adventure; given her past, watch out heaven!   She was an extraordinary woman.

Family wants to thank the staff at the Wellington, One Care Hospice, Special love for Amelia, Hugo, Destiny, Olga, Jeannette from Wellington. She had an enduring bond for many others including Edie Logan, (son Casey), Jodie Korte,  Creed Haymond, Maxine Turner, and her sorority sisters from Beta Sigma Pi.

Gifts made in her name are welcomed at the Utah Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, and Graduate School of Social Work.

Per Lois’ wishes, there will be no viewing or services.  A celebration of her life will be held in late summer close to her birthday.  Stay tuned and in touch for information on her continuing journey.