Lois Slater
courtesy photo
Lois Slater
RONAN — Lois Lafromboise Slater was born on Dec. 29, 1951, in Browning to Rosalie and Robert LaFromboise. Lois was an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, lived in Browning for much of her childhood but moved to the Flathead Reservation where she lived the rest of life and died at her home on Jan. 11, 2019.
Lois, aka, Doll or Strikes in the Water, was married in 1968 to Alvin McClure. Together they had four children and later divorced. She attended Salish Kootenai College where she earned an associate degree in human services and went on to the University of Montana and received a bachelor’s degree in social work. Later, she earned her master’s degree in education from Gonzaga University.
She met the love of her life, Gerald Slater, while attending Salish Kootenai College. They were married and together for 25 years before his passing in 2001. After his passing, Lois continued working at SKC. She worked as the director of career services and later director of development. When working at SKC, she helped many students achieve their academic goals and get different scholarships. Many have said that they wouldn’t be where they are now without the help of Lois. She also raised many millions of dollars and established countless scholarships and endowments. Retirement and losing Jerry were never part of her plan and things for her were never the same. Her children, grands, and greats were the sparkle in her eyes.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Slater and her ex-husband, Alvin McClure; her parents, Rosalie and Robert; her sister, Mary Ellen; her brothers, Bobby, TJ, Steve and Roy.
She is survived by her children, Kimberly, Nichole (David), Cori (Carlos) and David; her brothers, Conrad (Mary Ellen), Jeff, Don (Elisa), and her sisters, Lorna, Vickie (Joe), Lori (Dan); along with 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren
A viewing took place on Monday at Lake Funeral Home and a Rosary was held on Tuesday evening at SKC’s Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center gym. A funeral will be held there on Wednesday, Jan. 16, starting at 10 a.m. Burial services will follow at the Ronan Cemetery and then a dinner will be held back at the SKC gym.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
