Lois Ferne Stone, age 92, passed away October 28, 2016, after a very long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in Napa, CA to Myron Walker and Minnie Valentine. Lois was raised by her grandparents, Wilson and Minnie Adams in Monticello, Napa County. The town of Monticello is now buried beneath the waters of Lake Berryessa. She loved animals at a very early age. Domestic and wild animals found a way to communicate with her. She had this ability throughout her life. That ability certainly helped spending a lifetime on a ranch working with a variety of animals. As a young child she found a love for horses. By the time she was five years old her riding skills surprised everyone in Monticello. Lois felt blessed because she was raised next to the local Rodeo Grounds. It was a true blessing for a child who had such love for animals. Lois and her cousins spent much time riding horses in the Berryessa Valley. She would round up cattle for many of the ranches in the valley. When not helping ranchers, she would ride her horse in the hills surrounding the valley. She knew every ridge and canyon surrounding that valley and she often talked about these places later in life. Lois attended Monticello Elementary School and then rode the bus to Winters High School when she graduated from elementary school. Monticello did not have a high school. She was very popular because of riding horses and she had a great ear for music. Lois took piano lessons as a young girl. The lessons did not last long because the music teacher said it was a waste of money and time. In a very short time she could play better than the teacher! Lois could play any song without reading music. She could tune any instrument by ear. Some of the instruments she taught herself to play include the piano, guitar, fiddle, accordion, harmonica and simply any instrument she desired. She not only played all of these musical instruments, but her singing voice was as good as any professional. People would hear her singing and yodeling as she rode her horse through the valley and hills. She not only made music a part of her young life, but did until Alzheimer's got the best of her later in life. One day, a young man working for the California Division of Forestry came to the Adams' house and asked if there was somewhere he could keep his horse. This young man's name was Newell Stone. Wilson Adams said he could board his horse on their property. It was that day Lois went running to her grandmother, whom she called Nanna. "Nanna, I just met the man I'm going to marry!" It happened that the two married April 26, 1942, in Carson City, Nevada. Their marriage lasted 65 years until Newell passed away in 2007. After Lois and Newell married, they moved to Sonoma County to live with Newell's parents, Bert and Millie Stone. Newell became a welder at Mare Island Shipyard in Vallejo. Their lives changed quickly when Newell was drafted for World War II. Newell was assigned to a military base in Florida and was soon followed by Lois and their newborn son, Ron. They spent the next two years in Florida until the war ended. Lois, Newell and Ron moved to Napa after the War. They lived with Lois' father, Myron Walker. Myron had a farm with orchards and vineyards. He also had many chickens and some milk cows. Newell worked for Myron on the farm. During this time period Lois gave birth to another son. This son was named Myron, after his grandfather, Myron Walker. During her childhood in Monticello, Lois always had a dream of owning her own ranch. Newell had no interest in owning a ranch, but he would sacrifice for his wife. It was in 1947 that Lois found her "Dream Ranch". It was 160 acres in High Valley, Clearlake Oaks. Lois named their new home "Willow Brook Farm". It was always known to others as "The Stone Ranch". Lois had her favorite anniversary gift from Newell, a beautiful Quarter Horse. She named her horse "Boots". Lois spent many hours riding "Boots" around the ranch while singing and yodeling. She was happy when she got her dairy herd. Cream was separated and sold to a creamery. Skimmed milk and ground grain was used to feed the many hogs on the farm. Many chickens were raised on the farm. Lois sold the eggs to Nylander's Red & White Store in Clearlake Oaks. If the weather was too bad, she would sometimes deliver the eggs on "Boots". Other animals on the farm included horses, turkeys, sheep, peacocks, geese, etc. While living on Willow Brook Farm, Lois gave birth to two more children. Linda was born in 1950 and Tim in 1953. All children attended East Lake Elementary in Clearlake Oaks and Lower Lake High School in Lower Lake. Lois and Newell sold the dairy cattle in 1966. It was at this time that Registered Black Angus were made a part of Willow Brook Farm. Black Angus are still grazing the property with Linda Stone as proprietor. Many people in Lake County have known Lois for years. She worked very hard throughout her life. She could be found milking cows twice per day, repairing and building fence, cutting firewood with a two person chainsaw, planting and harvesting crops. Lois was a great worker on the rear of a "poke and tie" hay baler. For years she would be with the whole family in the fields working in the hay. She worked hard outdoors and managed to put three meals on the table every day. It was common for her to provide good meals for people arriving unannounced. Her kitchen was like a "24/7 diner". She never gave a thought about this extra work, she was just happy to do it. Many people would gather around Lois to hear her sing and play the piano or guitar. Everyone loved the piano. Lois placed thumb tacks on the "strikers" which gave it a "honky tonk" sound. Christmas was always special for Lois. She loved to play Christmas Carols on the piano with a house full of family and friends singing. She always had a special glow that simply made people happy! Lois is survived by her children, Ron Stone (Alice) of Montpelier, ID., Myron Stone (Darleen) of Graham, WA., Linda Stone of High Valley, Tim Stone (Jeanne) of Lakeport; grandchildren, Tamara Stone, Lisa Hamblin, Juliet Gerry, Michael Stone, Clinton Stone, Wade Stone, Crystal Hutchins, Preston Stone, Stephanie Ferreira, and Tracy Vanatta; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Newell Stone; parents, Myron Walker and Minnie Valentine; brother, Wilson Walker; and grandson, Lance Tyler Stone. Family and friends were invited to graveside services at 12 p.m., Friday, November 4, 2016, at Lower Lake Cemetery.
Contributor: Teresa B (48353261) •