Lois Stout Houchen

Lois Stout Houchen, age 77, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025 at Billings Clinic due to health complications. She was surrounded by family.

The youngest of seven children, Lois was born May 17, 1947 in Eureka, MT to John and Bertie Quilling. Lois attended many schools including Whitefish, Eureka, Polson, Charlo, and graduated high school in Menomonie, Wisconsin in 1965. After graduation, Lois moved with her parents to Coffee Creek, MT where they purchased the Coffee Creek store and meat shop.

She was substituting as Postmaster at the Coffee Creek post office when she met Donald Stout, who sparked a gleam in her eyes. They were married September 19, 1965 in Stanford. In 1966 they moved to Winifred where they welcomed the birth of their daughter Diane, then returned to Coffee Creek to farm, bringing their son Bradley into the world in 1968.

In 1970 Lois and Don purchased the grocery store and meat shop from Lois’ parents, later closing out the grocery business and expanding the meat shop. Lois worked closely with her husband throughout those years, continuing to fill in at the post office and eventually becoming the Postmaster. In 1983 they moved to the family farm in Arrow Creek where Don continued farming. The meat shop in Coffee Creek was destroyed by fire two years later.

After living in Arrow Creek for ten years, they moved to Lewistown in 1993 and together purchased the Empire Cafe. Lois loved waiting on customers and meeting new people. They sold the business in 2000, and Lois lost her husband Don in July that same year. 

Lois then worked as a night auditor at the Yogo Inn, and in 2004 she met Dwight Houchen. They were married on May 28, 2005. She moved to Sidney to be with her new husband, and worked as an elder caregiver until her health made it unable to do so.

Lois loved camping with her family and friends, and her favorite camping spot was the Dry Wolf Campground near Stanford where many a hotdog and marshmallow were roasted. Her young granddaughter even held church there once where “Jesus Loves Me” was sung. Her family was most important to her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They truly were the lights of her life.

Lois loved music, ceramics, arts and crafts, cooking, playing cards, and had quite the sweet tooth. She always had a candy dish for her grandchildren, but was known to sample as well. Lois was known by all for her sense of humor and quick wit, evident right up until the end.

Lois belonged to the Oddfellow and Rebekahs Lodge in Coffee Creek for many years, and she and her husband were members of the Coffee Creek Pinochle Club. She loved hosting the Christmas Pinochle Party.

Christmas was deeply important to Lois. She dearly loved the lights and Christmas spirit which she embodied during her life. Her one request was to have a tree with lights and special ornaments at her service. She hopes for all of us to embrace the spirit of Christmas every day. 

Lois is survived by her husband Dwight of Sidney; daughter Diane Ray (Larry Bielen) of Hilger; son Brad Stout (Jill) of Moses Lake, WA; sisters Dorothy Sheppard of Paradise, MT; five grandchildren, Stacey Ray, Megan Griffith (Tom), Jacob Stout (Carly), Carter Stout (Madison), Camden Stout; six great-grandchildren, Shane Griffith, Freya Griffith, Grace Stout, Eleanor Stout, Emmett Stout, and Ivy Stout, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents John and Bertie Quilling, husband Don Stout, two brothers Bob and Raymond Quilling, her three sisters Mae Nielson, Edith Patrick, and Marjorie Graber, and her son-in-law Shane Ray.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Cloyd Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Monday, January 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Cloyd Funeral Home. Burial will follow at the Stanford Cemetery, with dinner at the Stanford City Hall. Arrangements are under the direction of Cloyd Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of choice.