Lois I Swartzendruber

Lois Irene Graber Swartzendruber was born July 23, 1928 in Wayland, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Rich) Graber. She graduated from Wayland High School and Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On June 5, 1949 Lois was united in marriage to Wilbur Swartzendruber in Wayland. They made their home in the Wellman community. Lois taught at Richwoods School in rural Henry County and Greene Center School in rural Iowa County for 5 years. She taught preschool in the basement of the home she and Wilbur built on 8th Avenue from 1962-1985. She later worked as a cook at Parkview Manor for 10 years. Lois was a member of the Wellman Mennonite Church where she taught Bible School and Sunday School. She volunteered with Mennonite Disaster Service with tornado cleanup in Grand Island, Nebraska. She loved serving on then Wellman Scofield Public Library Board and assisting the clerk on election days. She hosted many coffees and quilting bees for friends, neighbors and family. She was a very good cook. When unexpected guests dropped in, she was sure to have something sweet in the freezer to serve. Lois died on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at Parkview Manor in Wellman at the age of 88 years.
Lois is survived by three children; Joyce Swartzendruber (James Melnis) of Bozeman, Montana, Douglas (Gail) Swartzendruber of Castro Valley, California; Scott James "Jim" (Chrissy) Swartzendruber of North Liberty; grandsons Cameron Swartzendruber, Tyler Harapat, Trevor Harapat; and three sisters; Rachel Wyse of Wellman; Berniece Roth of Laguna Woods, California; and Beulah Mae Swartzendruber of Cedar Falls. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wilbur in 2007, two sisters Welma Nelson, Sara Lu Frederick; and four brothers Clarence, Willis, Raymond and Virgil Graber.


Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, August 1, 2016 at the Wellman Mennonite Church in Wellman. Pastor Nathan Ramer will officiate. Burial will be in the Wellman Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-6 PM on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Wellman Mennonite Church.