Lois Prestage was an award-winning artist of the American midwest and a frequent painter of her family members and their pets. Her art reflected her profound love of nature, animals, and people. From scenes of everyday life and people at play, to tender animal vignettes, to gorgeous natural beauty, her art captured the essence of the aesthetics in the life she lived.

Born Lois Joanne Preston, August 12, 1934, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Stanley and Edna (Scott) Preston, Lois flourished as a child and developed a strong affinity for nature as her family moved to a farm at Portage, Michigan. There, she began her love of art, developing her skills in various mediums.

Lois attended Western Michigan University, where she met Richard Prestage. Their friendship blossomed into romance, and they were married June 10, 1955. Richard, who went by “Dick”, became a Certified Public Accountant. Early in his career, he was employed by the U.S. Army as an auditor, which resulted in their moving around the country. Lois honed her artistic skills during this period, while developing an understanding of the flavor of America by the plethora of places in which they lived.

Ultimately, Dick and Lois settled in the small town of St. Louis, Michigan. There, while also helping Dick establish his own CPA firm, Lois refined her artistic skills, working in oils, pastels, chalk, ink, and later, acrylics. An avid golfer, Lois enjoyed the links, as well as long nature walks. She rejoiced in her family and loved family outings and vacations, all of which is conveyed in her art. Her love of dogs is shown by her many vivid pet scenes-- canines were frequent subjects of her talent. Lois' empathy with humanity, which was furthered as she and Dick took on running a nursing home, is very much reflected in her portraiture. Her prodigious talent was quickly recognized by the artistic community, and she became an icon of the local art organizations, including the Creative Arts Guild of Mid-Michigan in Alma Michigan, Art Reach in Mt. Pleasant Michigan, and she received much broader recognition of her art as years passed. She exhibited her art throughout Michigan. A prolific painter and graphic artist, Lois' works have graced many homes and exhibitions.

Lois' lost her beloved Richard in January 2003. Lois, herself, passed away on October 26, 2020, greatly mourned not only by those who loved her, but by the greater art community at large. She was survived by her two children, and four grandchildren. Robert Prestage, of Clayton, North Carolina and Richard and Carol Prestage of Alma, Michigan. Her art continues to receive accolades and to be featured in exhibitions, even years after her death. Richard and Lois left a Trust behind to fund students in educational Nursing pursuits through the Gratiot Community Foundation. Both Lois and Richard were very committed to supporting their community, and their children continue to support the communities they live in.