Obituary of Lois Redding Stranahan

Lois R. Stranahan, 97, of Portland, Oregon, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2017 at her daughter's home in Edison, New Jersey. Born and raised in Mena, Arkansas to the late Martin and Grace Redding, she and her five siblings belonged to a family band where she would play violin. She was born a farmer's daughter and held a love of gardening throughout her life. Lois moved to Portland, OR in 1940 where she served our country during World War II building Liberty Ships. After the war, she was a telephone operator before becoming a full time wife and mother. Lois married the late Jesse Kneeland Stranahan and was a strong supporter of his union, belonging to the Ladies Auxiliary of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (I.L.W.U.) of Portland. Lois was always politically active even later in life. She fought to keep sales tax out of Oregon and always advocated for the best interest of the people. She was preceded in death by her siblings and her beloved husband Jesse Kneeland Stranahan. Surviving are her loving daughter, Judith Karen Stranahan, and her numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 1:00 to 3:00PM at the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, New Jersey. A prayer service will be held at 3:00PM at the funeral home. Interment will take place on a date to be announced at Willamette National Cemetery, 1180 Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland OR under the direction of the Mt. Scott Funeral Home, Portland.