Lois Oliver

Lois Marie Oliver (Gussie) of Dove Creek left this world on May 15th, 2021. Earlier that day, she had a wonderful time doing something she loved, dancing to great music with friends. She was a sweet, kind, compassionate, inspiring soul who found the good in everyone and let all the people she loved know how much they meant to her every time she saw them. Lois was a burst of sunshine who lit up a room. She was passionate about the environment. She had a wonderful imagination, delightful streak of whimsy and fun, ongoing curiosity about the world, and she loved to learn. She had a real knack for making the best of difficult situations with grace and fortitude. Her eloquent, wise words (especially in the cards she sent) have touched many hearts.
Lois was born to Loren and Shirley Oliver on May 25th, 1953, in Monte Vista, Colorado. She made friends wherever she lived, growing up in a variety of places. After graduating from high school in Durango, Colorado, she went to college in Salt Lake City and met her first husband, David Wagstaff. They had two daughters, Kiri and Nicole, whom they raised in Castle Valley, Utah. She loved their unconventional life there and made many lifelong friends. Lois worked at the bank in Moab, was involved with the Moab community recycling program, and served as the Treasurer for the town of Castle Valley. She later worked for W H Burt Explosives and then the National Park Service for many years. Lois was also a Logistics Coordinator in Phoenix and most recently worked for Community Connections in Cortez, where she touched many lives. Her work ethic and organizational skills were impeccable. She loved to create stained-glass windows, identify birds, and go for long walks. She was planning to retire this year on her 68th birthday, May 25th.
Lois and David divorced but remained close friends. She later married Ross Tabberer and helped raise his three children, Jessica, Amber, and Johnathan, in Moab. Lois and Ross later parted ways, and she led her life as an independent woman.
Lois moved to Dove Creek, Colorado, and built her forever house with the help of her ex-husband David. She was happy to be near her closest friends Roberta and Roger Lowry. Lois adopted her two kitties, Mr. Dash and Opie, and she enjoyed the company of many deer that frequented her property. Her biggest joy was the many adventures with her daughter in Oregon and visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Arizona where she enjoyed her 7 grandchildren.
Left with decades of fond and colorful memories are her daughters, Kiri Wagstaff of Oregon and Nicole Taylor (Matthew Musson) of Arizona; her ex-husbands David Wagstaff (Utah) and Ross Tabberer (Utah); her siblings Eileen Ford of Monte Vista, Jim (Cindy) Oliver of Florida, and Luanne (Tom) Hubertus of Durango; her grandchildren Emma, Natalie, Hailey, Mia, Zachary, Luke, and David; numerous nieces and nephews; so many dear friends; and her beloved kitties Mr. Dash and Opie. Our lives will never be as bright and loving as when we had Lois with us.
After careful consideration, we've regretfully determined that the current COVID situation will not allow us to have the large gathering in Lois's memory that we would have preferred. We know that she touched many lives and we would have loved to come together to share memories. We would like to encourage you to honor Lois in your own way (visiting a favorite location, reading a book you both enjoyed, burning a candle, reviewing photos). If you are in the Moab area, we invite you to write a message on a river stone that will be placed around a tree we are planting in her memory (please visit Moab Premier Properties, 1075 S. US-191, Ste. B, between June 23 and 25 to write on a stone or drop off your own). You are also welcome to send a message to memories_of_lois@wkiri.com to include in a memory book. We know you are with us in spirit. Thank you for your love and support, Kiri and Nicole