Lois Frances Dee Karraker Finney
Lois Frances (Dee) Karraker Finney, 95, died on Feb. 27, 2020, at her home in Winnetka, where she lived for 59 years.
She was known for her beautiful, infectious smile, her gentle, kind demeanor, her generous spirit, her devotion to her pets and her love of her family.
She was born on Aug. 22, 1924, in Jonesboro, the daughter of Ray Wallace and Margaret Browne Karraker.
She married Stephen Ingram Finney on Nov. 25, 1948, in Jonesboro. Steve and Dee met when they were both students at University of Chicago. They were married for 62 years until Steve died in 2010.
Lois was given her nickname of “Dee” as an infant. The story is that when visitors came to see the new baby, they would exclaim, “Isn’t she dear?” Her one-year old brother replied, “dee,” and Lois was Dee from then on.
She was everyone’s favorite Girl Scout leader, an avid volunteer for the Winnetka Thrift Shop, Evanston Hospital and the Winnetka Congregational Church Rummage Sale, and one of the original members of the Winnetka Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed curling and playing golf with the 18-holers at Exmoor Country Club, mystery books, sports and needlecrafts of all kinds and passed that love to her five daughters.
She is survived by her five daughters, Carolyn Finney, Eleanor (John) Vita, Deborah (Wayne) McKenzie, Allison (Heather Drew) Finney and Barbara Finney; her nine grandchildren, Erin (Alex) Roth, Evan (Jessica) McKenzie, Shannon (Matt) Moran, Blaire McKenzie (Andrew Buchholz), Jack Vita, Timmy Vita, Laura Vita, Zoe Jeffery and Mia Jeffery; and her three infant great-grandchildren, Quinn and Lena Roth, and Reece McKenzie.
She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and her loving, devoted caregivers, Myrna Walter and Edith Gutierrez, to whom the family will be forever grateful.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her three brothers, David (Mildred) Karraker, Gordon Karraker and Robert (Shirley) Karraker; one sister, Jane (Sam) Spink; her brother-in-law, Richard (Marge) Finney; and her sister-in-law, Janet Finney.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, at the Winnetka Presbyterian Church. Burial was private.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Best Friends Animal Society or to the animal welfare society of the donor’s choice.
William H. Scott Funeral Home in Wilmette was in charge of arrangements.