Lola Ann Mason BlairGrand Rapids - Lola Ann Mason Blair passed away peacefully on Friday, October 27, 2017, at her residence in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lola was born on July 25, 1926, to Benjamin and Irma Mason in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She moved to Wheaton, Illinois with her family where she graduated from Wheaton High School. During World War II, she worked as a welder making ammunition boxes used by the armed forces in Europe and the Pacific. After graduation, she enrolled at the
University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. After college, she worked at Children's Hospital in St. Louis. While in college, she met her future husband, Dr. Thomas Calvin "Cal" Blair, at the University of Michigan Biological Station near Pellston, Michigan. Lola and Cal were married in St. John's English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois on July 2, 1949. Lola and Cal raised four children and she was an enthusiastic spectator in all of the activities of her children and grandchildren. She loved to swim and was a regular at the YMCA pool every morning. She was an avid gardener and transformed her backyards into beautiful botanical settings. One of her most challenging feats was building a multi-tiered patio using repurposed pieces of concrete sidewalk. Lola was always active in her church, teaching Sunday School for over 50 years, first at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan and then at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett. She also volunteered in hospital gift shops as well as Meals on Wheels. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Dr. Thomas Calvin Blair; and parents Benjamin and Irma Mason. She is survived by her son Thomas Calvin "T.C." Blair II and wife Eva of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter Kathleen Gabel of Los Angeles, California; son Jeffry Blair and wife Tomye of Dallas, Texas; son Brad Blair and wife Sherry of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandson Thomas Calvin "Buddy" Blair III and wife Amanda; grandsons Calvin Blair and Christopher Blair and many close friends. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2017, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 5589 Van Atta Road, Haslett, Michigan. Visitation will be at St. Luke Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the services. If desired, memorial gifts may be made to St Luke Lutheran Church. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman, East Lansing Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at
www.greastlansing.com.
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