Lois Marilyn “Mimi” Bleak entered into rest on November 23, 2025, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born on August 28, 1934, in Denver, Colorado, to Charles William and Ester Mae Pickett.
Soon after her birth, the family moved to the HM Ranch in the Dunoir Valley near Dubois, Wyoming, where Lois was joined by her siblings, Margaret Ellen and William Charles Pickett. From an early age, Lois developed a deep love for adventure and wild places. Ranch life suited her well—she spent summers at cow camp, bred and trained her own string of horses, and sold them with pride. Winters were long and harsh in the high country, often snowing the family in for months at a time.
At just eleven years old, tired of the limited winter diet, Lois supplemented the family’s food supply herself. Armed with a single-shot .22 rifle, she harvested her first deer. Though she got into trouble for poaching, the deer was eaten and enjoyed, and wild game thereafter became a regular part of the family’s meals.
Lois loved learning and was a capable—if reluctant—student. Because of the ranch’s remote location, she attended boarding school or stayed with family friends. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class. She later married and welcomed her first children, Charles William and Barbara Anne. During this time, she also earned income as a hunting guide and became known as a skilled and competent hunter.
Her son Steven was later born but tragically passed away as a toddler, a loss that stayed with her throughout her life. Christopher Lee followed, and after her divorce, Lois faced the challenges of being a single mother of three in the late 1950s. Determined and resilient, she moved to Idaho Falls and financed her own architectural training. She was employed by Anderson Lumber, where she designed numerous homes and commercial buildings—work she took great pride in.
It was during this time that Lois met David Bleak, a young war hero. Their marriage on October 7, 1960, marked the beginning of a deep and lasting love. Their youngest son, Bruce David, was born ten months later. In 1966, the family moved to a small farm in Moore, Idaho, which became Lois’s beloved home.
On the farm, Lois raised sheep, goats, chickens, cows, horses, ducks, geese, and turkeys—along with many extra children who found warmth, food, and love under her roof. She was generous to a fault and always ready to help anyone in need. Self-taught as a capable amateur veterinarian, she was frequently called upon to help neighbors with sick animals and often took charge of lambing operations for local sheep flocks.
In the 1970s, the family began operating a dairy farm. Lois developed a breeding program that produced one of the area’s highest herd milking averages—an accomplishment she was very proud of.
By 1993, the workload became heavy, and Lois and David retired, selling the farm to their son. They spent summers in Idaho and winters in Bard, California, until David’s health declined. Even in retirement, Lois needed purpose. She and David began walking the valley roads daily, collecting cans and trash. The proceeds paid their car payment and improved the community.
After David’s passing in March 2006, Lois continued this work on her own. Quietly, faithfully, she donated all proceeds from recycling cans—and any money given to her by passersby who mistook her for homeless—to the local food bank. She never tracked the total, but it amounted to thousands of dollars. Her goal was to collect at least one ton of cans each year, often filling her driveway before they were hauled away.
Lois leaves a legacy of service, generosity, love for animals—especially dogs—and devotion to family and community. She was a mentor to many and considered it an honor to be sought out for advice and guidance.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Charles William and Ester Mae Pickett; her brother, Bill Pickett; her sister, Margie Bleak; her infant son, Steven; and her husband, David Bleak.
She is survived by her children: Chuck (Carmen) Bleak, Barbara Martin, Chris (Patty) Bleak, and Bruce Bleak; her sister-in-law Ardie Pickett; her brother-in-law Douglas Bleak; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“Mimi” was a childhood nickname that stayed with her throughout her life—Mimi to all who knew her in Wyoming, and Lois to those who knew her in Idaho.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Moore Community Center, 3353 W. 3155 N., Moore, Idaho. The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are under the care of the Anderson Family Funeral Home. Her ashes will be scattered at a later date beside her beloved husband and her nephew, Shawn.
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