Obituary: Lois J. Kimpton
Author: Family of Lois J. Kimpton
Lois J. Kimpton
Family of Lois J. Kimpton
Lois J. Kimpton, age 94 of Toston
March 10, 1930 – February 27, 2025
On the morning of February 27, 2025, Lois Kimpton peacefully left this world at the age of 94, eleven days from her 95th birthday, stepping into the embrace of the Lord and reuniting with the many loved ones who passed before her.
She was born on March 10, 1930, to Cecil and Zona Johnson in Winston, Montana, one of five spirited sisters.
Lois had a love for life that shone through in everything she did. Growing up in the depression, the family moved around wherever her dad could find work. At one point they lived in Great Falls near the river where her and her sisters would go swimming. They also lived up near the Vossburg mine outside of Winston in the mountains.
Ultimately, they settled in Townsend where Lois went to Broadwater County High School. In her youth, she was an avid athlete, playing basketball in high school. In those days the team made their own uniforms that looked like jump suits. They lived near a roller skating rink and all the girls were taught to roller skate.
Lois loved dancing, mostly the jitter bug and often said that she danced her way through high school. It was in those early years that she met the love of her life, Albert Kimpton, whom she married on May 4, 1948. Together, they built a life filled with love, hard work, and family. They raised four children—Dave (Mary) of Phoenix, Steve (Kathy, deceased) of Toston, Cliff of Toston, and Zona (Kathleen) of Toston.
In 1959, Lois and Albert settled into the home where they would spend their years together, raising cattle, horses, and farming. In the early years, she shared in the responsibility to cook for the haying crews with her mother-in-law Mildred Kimpton and her sister-in-law Gerry. She really didn’t know how to cook after they were first married and the stories about her attempts were comical.
The haying crews were men who Albert and his brother, Bill, would pick up from what was called the ‘jungles’ which was a place in Helena where men would come during haying season off the trains to work. Lois even went with them sometimes.
As the family grew so did the traditions. Lois would make Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving dinners bringing everyone together. Branding in April and shipping the calves in the fall were always fun events for both friends and family where she would put on big spreads and then everyone would play poker. She would stay up at Cow Camp and provide meals for the spring work of putting the cows out for the season and she would also haul meals to the riding crews if the brandings were done in the mountains.
After high school, Lois took a correspondence course from the University of Nebraska for general studies. As her children grew, Lois pursued a career, first working at the Soil Conservation Service. She later earned her real estate license, eventually becoming a broker and the proud owner of Broadwater Realty.
Her love of discovery extended beyond business—she was an avid reader, a collector of stamps and coins, and she found joy in hunting for purple glass in forgotten places. She was also a dedicated bowler, playing in a league for many years, and she cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. She and Albert traveled quite a bit with family and friends during their life together, which took them all over the west visiting family, going to roping and rodeo events, and just exploring the countryside.
For nearly two decades, Lois faced Alzheimer’s with remarkable grace and resilience. She never lost her gentle spirit, her gratitude, or her ability to bring warmth to those around her. Even in her final days, she would ask about Albert, never quite remembering that he had been waiting for her in heaven for 19 years. Now, at last, they are together again.
Lois is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Albert; her parents, Cecil and Zona; her sisters, Anice Pursley, LeVaughn Smith, and Marlene Fisk; and her daughter-in-law, Kathy. She leaves behind her four children, her sister Jackie Hoffman, many nieces and nephews along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who will carry her love forward.
Though she is no longer with us in body, Lois’s love remains woven into the fabric of our lives. Her kindness, laughter, and unwavering strength will be forever cherished.
A private family graveside service will be held March 6th, and the family will celebrate her life with friends this spring on May 3rd. Time and place to be determined.
“The rest of us will see you on the other side, Mom.”
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