Lois Claire Fisher Ling

Born Jan. 9, 1931 in Hancock, MI, Mrs. Ling grew up as the daughter of a local businessman in the wildly beautiful Copper Country of northern Michigan. After graduating from high school she struck out for college, first attending Rosary College (now Dominican University) in Chicago, followed by Michigan State College (now Michigan State University). She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, and was crowned the Honorary Commander of the Michigan State Army ROTC during her time at Michigan State, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1952.

At Michigan State, she met and later married her college sweetheart, Robert Ling. With husband Bob serving in the U.S. Army, the couple began their marriage at the Presidio in San Francisco, and following the end of hostilities in Korea, the couple lived in Japan. Eventually, the Lings settled in Marquette, MI, where they owned a business and raised a family, sinking deep roots and helping shape the community in which they lived for nearly 30 years. Mr. Ling was a former Mayor and City Commissioner of Marquette.

Mrs. Ling and her husband were married for 63 years and raised five children, who all graduated from Marquette Senior High School and went on to college. Lois Ling spent busy years supporting her active family in youth sports, dance lessons, school and church activities, and more. The Lings also opened their home to a sixth child–Jose Madrigal, one of the famous “Pedro Pan” youth refugees who landed in Marquette from Cuba following the Communist takeover of that country, guiding him through high school and sending him to college.

When the nest was empty, the Lings embarked on a new adventure, moving to the Sacramento suburb of Rancho Murieta in 1985, where they were involved in cable television and newspaper business enterprises. Mrs. Ling took up golf and was an active volunteer for the Assistance League of Sacramento, helping raise money and participating in service projects aimed at needy children. She also turned her attention to helping raise a new generation of family members. Over the next two decades Mrs. Ling crisscrossed the country to assist in the arrival of 17 grandchildren, establishing personal relationships with them all, and teaching most of them to swim at her beautiful California home. Her husband Robert died in 2015.

Mrs. Ling is survived by her five children, Shelly Ling Blanchard of Rancho Cordova, CA, Robert Ling Jr. (Heidi) of Egg Harbor, WI, Amy Ling Plumbtree (Tree) of San Tan Valley, AZ, Patricia Ling Heider (John) of Saline, MI; and Beth Ling Usher (Charles) of Hinsdale, IL; 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Family members will gather at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 30 at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Hinsdale IL, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Mrs. Ling will be interred with her husband at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.