Special Friend of the TR Celebrates 102nd Birthday November 8th
Spunky, quick-witted Lois Brier, who resides at the SMP Health St. Raphael—formerly known as the Sheyenne Care Center—is turning 102 years old on November 8th, and the Times-Record wants to send a special shoutout to this special woman. Lois, whose contributions to the community go far beyond the newspaper, has a special claim to “fame” at the Times-Record: she was the first woman to work here.
Born in 1919 to Chauncey and Olevea Piculell, Lois is a North Dakota gal through and through. She attended Valley City High School, and she spent her senior year as editor of the school newspaper. After graduating high school in 1938 Lois attended Valley City State, where she also worked on the college newspaper. Her first professional newspaper job was in Bismarck, but she wound up back in Valley City as American men shipped out to battle during World War II. At that time, industries began depending on the women left at home to fill the men’s spots at work. In 1944, Lois began her four-year stint at the Valley City Times Record, serving as an advertising manager. As the first and only woman working there, she caught a lot of flak from the guys. In the male-dominated office, Lois—rather than using the inky closet of a bathroom downstairs, “The Bog”—used the restroom at the telephone operator office next door. One day when the telephone office was closed, Lois was forced to head downstairs to The Bog. The pressmen knew she’d be down there eventually that day, so they’d taken time to wire toilet seat to a car buzz coil or telephone generator. The pranksters let Lois take a seat and get comfy in the basement bathroom before they sent a charge through the wires, and Lois got one heck of a shock. After letting out a holler and pulling herself together, she barreled out of the bathroom and decked one of the men so hard that he almost landed in the press machine.
No one at the Times-Record messed with Lois Piculell after that.
She met her husband, Howard Brier, when he came to Valley City after the war. He’d had a friend purchase the Rudolf Hotel, which had been up for sale during his time in the military. He’d come to town to take control of his new property. Lois met him through her position at the Times-Record, since she was in charge of advertising. She married Howard and left the newspaper in 1948. The couple had two sons, Kirby and Shane.
In addition to her wittiness, Lois has long been a beacon of kindness and selflessness. Here’s one poignant example of that: Lois has a rare blood type, and she spent many years donating blood to be used for newborns who needed it. There are many babies who might otherwise have been robbed of the chance to grow up who are still alive today because of Lois’ selfless gift.
Lois’ liveliness and humor are a blessing to the community and all who have a chance to meet her and get to know her. For her 102nd birthday, consider giving her a call (you can find her in the phonebook!) or sending her a card:
Lois Brier SMP - St. Raphael 979 Central Avenue North 3rd Floor Valley City, North Dakota 58072 We at the Times-Record (whose full-time staff is now all-female) wish you, Lois, a happy 102nd birthday. Thank you for the joy and love you’ve shared all these years, and for everything you’ve done to make this world a brighter place!