Mary LaLois Rainer, age 91, went to her eternal home on October 16, 2023. She was born to Sumner and Rowena Koepf in Bruceville, Texas. LaLois spent her early school days in Bruceville, while her dad was serving in World War II. In 1947 they moved to Waco. She graduated from Waco High School (the old one on Columbus Avenue) in 1949.
Visitation: 5 – 7PM Monday, October 23 at Lake Shore Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 10AM Tuesday October 24 at Lake Shore Funeral Home. CLICK HERE to view the Live Stream of the service
LaLois met her future husband, Paul Rainer, and they were married on July 30, 1949. It wasn’t long before they started their family. They had three sons, Ron, Earnest, and Chris. They were married for 53 years before Paul’s death in 2002.
In 1973 when Chris entered college, so did LaLois. She began the nursing program at McLennan Community College, graduating in the next year as an LVN. She worked in the Labor and Delivery Department at Hillcrest for a few years before going to work for Drs. Lewis and Grayson in their practice. She worked in this office until her retirement in 1994.
LaLois was an active member of Highland Baptist Church where she was also a member of the Naomi group. Her church was very important to her. She raised her sons in the church and was active until she moved to the Blake in November 2021.
LaLois was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marie Scott; and her husband, Paul Rainer.
She is survived by her sons, Ron and wife, Donna, Earnest and wife, Pat, Chris and wife, Deborah; four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Blake for their wonderful, loving care while a resident there as well as the staff at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest, 6th Floor South for the care she received there.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Highland Baptist Church or your favorite charity.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
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Mrs. Rainer was my neighbor in Waco as I grew up She was always kind, helpful, supportive, and loving to our family all the years we lived next to her. She was the perfect example of what a neighbor should be. Her love for the Lord and her community was outstanding.
Mrs. Rainer was the very best neighbor our family has ever had. The very first day we moved in, she and Paul came over with a gift and said, “We have been praying for you.” I was assured of her prayers many many times over the next seven years as we lived next door, and they continued long after we moved away. Her humor, joy, zest for life, prudence, wisdom for life’s events, and strength encouraged me a great deal. Blessings on your family. We loved her so much.