Lois Lorraine Gepner, 89, of Urbana passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Friday morning, January 24, following a lengthy illness.

The daughter of William H. and Edna Holl Mason, Lois was born April 24, 1924, in Sadorus, Illinois. Upon graduation from Sadorus High School in 1942, Lois attended Illinois Commercial College in Champaign and nurses' training at Mercy Hospital. During World War II she worked at Chanute Field in Rantoul.

Lois met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Gepner, in Champaign after the war, and the two were wed July 26, 1946. They were devoted to each other and their family during their fifty-nine years of marriage until Bob's death in 2005. In their two daughters they fostered a love of books and of music and of learning, and they were warm and supportive grandparents to their four grandchildren. Although Lois and Bob lived several places during their lives, she remained a small-town girl at heart. After her children were grown, Lois was employed in the admissions office of the University of Illinois, from which she retired following twenty years of service. In 2008 Lois suffered a severe and debilitating stroke, but courageously strove to live life to the fullest extent possible for the next six years. Being with family and friends was what made her happiest; she was delighted to welcome her first great grandchild in 2012.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister Donna Mason McCoyne. She is survived by daughters Marsha Gepner of Urbana and Marilyn (Gary) Miller of Cary, Ill.; brother William J. Mason of Champaign; grandchildren Nathan (Audra) Miller of Crystal Lake, Ill., Emily (Dane) Erbach of Cary, Ill., Margaret Miller of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Andrew Miller of Cary, Ill.; and great grandson Emmett Erbach.

Interment will be at Craw Cemetery, Sadorus, where Lois will rest beside her beloved Bob.

Heartfelt appreciation is expressed to the extraordinary staff of Diversified Health Care Service for their devoted care of Lois, and to the exceptional people of Carle Hospice for their invaluable support during her final days. Thanks also to Age Wise Care Management and the many healthcare providers, therapists, and others who offered their services and assistance and touched the lives of Lois and her family during the years of her illness.

The greatest treasure she gave us was Love, so in lieu of flowers, Lois' family wishes to honor her memory by encouraging you to hug a loved one, call a friend, remember a parent or grandparent with a note or card, do a kindness for a stranger, or say a prayer for someone special.

Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.