Lois Larson Köehn, 85, of Scotts Valley, died peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

Lois was born in Berkeley, California, on April 25, 1940, to parents Norman and Evelyn (née Klint) Larson. She was born just minutes before her identical twin sister Linda. Lois was very proud of being a twin! The girls grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California, along with their older brother Keith. After graduating from Acalanes High, Lois earned a bachelor's degree and a teaching credential at the University of California, Berkeley.

During her youth, Lois's family spent lots of time at Mission Springs at their cabin on Cathedral Drive just down from Cathedral Grove. The family were members of Berkeley Covenant Church.

Lois's brother was friends with a boy who lived in the neighborhood and her family invited little David Köehn and his family to church. It was the beginning of a lifelong association that led to Dave and Lois falling in love. They were married on June 17, 1961. The couple moved to Mission Springs permanently in 1971 when Dave joined the maintenance department. Lois designed the house that they built on Freemy Circle and they happily raised their daughters Sara and Sonja there.For many summers Lois ran the snack bar at the swimming pool and she really made it her own. She chose a delicious assortment of candies and frozen treats, created signature slush flavors, and brought in home-baked goodies as well. The family believes that Lois holds the record for the longest time of continuous residency on the grounds at Mission Springs.

Lois was a charter member of Community Covenant Church in Scotts Valley. For many years she was a beloved Sunday School teacher, developing thorough and engaging lessons for generations of children and teaching them so many wonderful songs. Lois was also active in Covenant Women Bible studies and events and was just generally a true pillar of the church!

Lois spent many years in Scotts Valley schools working as a special education instructional assistant. She was treasured by her colleagues and had an impact on so many children. When they struggled she played games with them and made learning fun and positive.

Lois was a bright, friendly, and hospitable lady. She loved to cook and bake and opened her home to anyone who wanted to come in the door. And come in they did! SO MANY friends and family over the years, so many Mission Springs staff who found themselves far from home, so many young friends of her daughters and grandkids who came to see her house as a second home and Lois as a surrogate mom or grandma. Many people reading this will have enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie in her kitchen or warmed themselves by the fire in the living room. As much as Lois gave, she got back from all of you!

Lois loved being a grandma to Abi and Eli. They had a very close relationship and she passed on to them a love of nature and good food, a spirit of creativity, and an attitude of inclusivity and care for others.

Lois is survived by her children, Sara (James) Young, and Sonja (Randy) Davenport; her grandchildren, Abigail Young and Elijah Young; her twin sister Linda Lundbom, and many nieces and nephews. Lois loved wildflowers, particularly California poppies, lupines, and forget-me-nots; when you see them blooming, think of her. 

There will be a service to honor Lois's life at Community Covenant Church in Scotts Valley at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May second. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mission Springs Camp & Conference Center.