ALCOAST 032/22 - FEB 2022 PASSING OF THE COAST GUARD LADY

united states coast guard

R 021404Z FEB 22
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 032/22
SSIC 5360
SUBJ: PASSING OF THE COAST GUARD LADY
1. It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of our beloved
Coast Guard Lady, Mrs. Lois Bouton. Lois Corinne Guenette Bouton of
Rogers, AR, died on January 29, 2022, at the age of 102. She was
born to Louis and Florence Boyle Guenette on September 21, 1919, in
Rochelle, IL. She married William Bouton on February 21, 1945.
Lois attended Glen Flora and Greenwood elementary schools in
Waukegan, IL and graduated from Waukegan High School. She attended
Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now Northern Illinois
University) and graduated with a degree in Lower Elementary
Education. After graduation she taught at the one room Bean Hill
school near Antioch, IL for three years and for one year at Little
Beach School.
2. During WWII, Lois enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Women's
Reserve, known as the "SPARs," the acronym for the Coast Guard's
motto, "Semper Paratus - Always Ready" in August 1943. As a radio
operator, Lois was assigned to Coast Guard Radio Station Cape May,
NJ and later to an air station, finally to the Coast Guard district
office in Philadelphia. She was discharged from the SPARs in
November 1945 as a Radioman Third Class.
3. After World War II the Boutons lived briefly in Waukegan, then
moved to Zion, IL. She taught in Little Beach/Beach school (now
known as Howe Elementary School). Lois retired from teaching mostly
first grade classes after 30 years. In 1974, Lois and William moved
to Rogers, AR from Zion, IL. Her love for the Coast Guard continued
through the rest of her life. When traveling over the years, she and
her husband visited many Coast Guard units. She wrote thousands of
letters to members of the Coast Guard community (active, reserve,
retired, civilian and family members) for which she became known as
"The Coast Guard Lady." Her faithful letter writing over the years
brought many honors and personal visits from Coast Guard personnel
from all over including present and former Commandants and Master
Chief Petty Officers of the Coast Guard. In recent years, newly
promoted Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers from the St. Louis area
would come out and pay her a visit around her birthday each year as
part of their indoctrination to the Chief Petty Officers corps.
4. Lois received many illustrious honors from the Coast Guard and
the U.S. government, including the Coast Guard Distinguished Public
Service Award, and the "Spirit of Hope" award presented by the
Department of Defense. Her most prized honor was receiving the rank
as "Honorary Master Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard."
5. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William,
daughter Betsy Ann Bouton-Jakubik, Lois's sisters Gretchen Guenette
and Barbara (Charles) Whitford. Lois is survived by her son-in-law
John Jakubik of Nottingham, MD, and nieces Cheryl Whitford of York,
PA and Nancy (Will) Lines of Maple Grove, MN.
6. She was a charter member of Grace United Methodist Church in
Rogers, AR. She was also a charter member of the Lighthouse Society,
NWA Women's Veterans, and the Illinois American Legion Post #1122.
Lois also served over 20 years with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Beaver
Lake Flotilla and was also awarded the position as an Honorary
Commodore in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
7. Her legacy will never be forgotten.
8. Funeral services will be held in Rogers, AR on 07 FEB 2022.
The Services will also be livestreamed at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.facebook.com/Grace-United-Methodist-Church-
104660949570639

9. The POC for any further information is MECS William Kelly, COMDT
(CG-00B) at 202-372-4432 or e-mail: William.P.Kelly@uscg.mil.
10. MCPOCG Jason M. Vanderhaden, Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Coast Guard (CG-00B), sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.