Lois E. McAllister, long-time resident of Surprise, AZ, died surrounded by beloved family members Sunday morning, June 7, 2009, in her residence in Fargo, ND.

Lois, the daughter of Fred and Ella (Behr) Rieniets, was born November 23, 1927, at Erie, ND, baptized in Amenia Township on May 11, 1928, and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Drake ND, on July 9, 1944.

She married Harry McAllister and they made their home in California while he served in the military service. Later, Lois lived in Minot, ND, where she worked as head cashier in the Ladies' Ready-to-Wear Department at Ellison's Department store for many years.

In later years, Lois and Harry resided first in Texas and then in Arizona. Recently, Lois returned to Fargo to be close to her many family members in the area as she waged her battle against cancer.

Lois is survived by: her daughter, Sandra (Steve) Anderson of Ray, ND; grandsons, Troy Derheim of Fargo, and Michael (Amanda) Derheim of Woodbury, MN; great-grandsons, Tyler and Dylan Derheim; stepdaughters, Eileen Johnson of Texas, and Kathy Wade of Arizona; stepgrandchild, David Ralph of Texas; two brothers, Alfred of Moorhead, MN, and Wayne of Drake, ND; four sisters, Eleanor March, Mildred Paulus and Marjorie Beecher, all of Fargo, and Gloria (Reuben) Ulrich of Sun City West, AZ; her aunts, Lois and Muriel; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three brothers, Larry, Kenneth and Melvin; and sister, Leona Richards.

Memorials may be sent to Upper Missouri Ministries Bible Camp, Epping, ND, or the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.

Memorial service: Saturday, June 13, 2009, at 2 p.m. at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND.

Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot, ND, at a future date.

Condolences can be sent online to westfuneralhome.com.