Lois Mae Hoerner

Lois Mae (Sundstrom) Hoerner was born to Melvin Carl and Alma Grace (Bisel) Sundstrom on May 23, 1942, in Stockdale, Kansas; the third of seven children. When she was 12 years old she asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive her sins at a revival meeting in Clay Center, KS, and lived for Him with all of her heart and strength all the rest of the days of her life to the best of her understanding and strength. In her youth and early adulthood Lois worked with her parents, brothers, and sisters on Sundstrom Farms in rural Ottawa. On August 13, 1976, she was united in marriage to Paul D. Hoerner. The Lord graciously gave them three children: Desiree Winkler and Elizabeth Brown, of Ottawa, and Ruthanne Ayars, of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is survived by her husband, Paul, of the home, her three daughters, Desiree's husband, Randy, and their children, David, Angela, Mark, and Michael, Ruthanne's husband, Jon, and their children, Anna and Eli, Elizabeth's children, Serena, Aliyah, Jesse, Lilia, Javan, and Josiah, her brothers, Lyle, Raymond, and Harry, and her sisters, Ruth and Martha Sundstrom. At the age of 16, she began teaching Sunday School. A few years later she was also a teacher in Christian Youth Crusaders, which had a club format, the director of The Children's Church in her local church, and also one of the Children's Workers at the annual Camp Meeting and Conference of the Kansas District of The Wesleyan Church. One year after her marriage, she and her husband moved to Colorado to pastor a church. Besides her responsibilities as pastor's wife and church hostess, she kept foster children and was instrumental in forming and teaching in a children's club for each of the following ages: preschoolers, primary, and junior, as well as assisting with the youth. They also served as Children's Workers in both of the Colorado and Kansas District's Annual Camp Meeting and Conference as well as assisting various churches in Daily Vacation Bible Schools during the summer months. While in Colorado they received a call to go half way around the world as missionaries. While there she taught Child Evangelism at the Bible College, was "mother" to many of the resident students, and became the mother to her third child. At the end of their extended term, they returned to rural Ottawa. While there, their medical counsel was not to return to the overseas assignment. After a year of rest and re-cooperation of health they relocated in North Carolina to pastor another church. While there Lois served as Sunday School teacher, director of Junior Church, and taught in a Christian Day School. It was also her great joy to go to various Day Cares throughout the city as a Children's Worker for Child Evangelism International. She also wrote and directed the children's programs for the church and guided the youth in preparing and building the stage props. Upon their departure from there, it was said by one of the laymen that she was the hardest working woman he had ever met. The pastor's wife that followed told the people in the church that she was not Mrs. Hoerner and could not be expected to do what she did. After a short pastorate closer to home she and her husband were feeling the need of a sabbatical, they again returned to Ottawa for a year of rest and regaining of strength. During that year her husband experienced a serious health collapse. Without complaint or consideration, the next morning she was where her husband would have been, in the milk parlor at Sundstrom Farms, and continued daily milking until her illness prevented her return. She was not to be idle though. She was asked by two different families if she would teach their children, this she happily did which also led to the opening of Pilgrim Bible Academy where she happily taught for several years. Lois had many talents and interests. She was recognized in the various churches where they served as an excellent cook and was always glad to share her recipes which sometimes kept her scratching for new ones at potluck time. It was said by one guest that he had never been disappointed at Lois' table but was often amazed. She was also a skilled seamstress and assisted many of her friends and acquaintances with their sewing and clothing difficulties. She could alter clothing when necessary, and even make her own pattern, if need be. The needs of others were often paramount in her mind. She was often off helping someone with their need while she had work waiting at home, but that was what she often used the night hours for. The Lord Jesus Christ, her family, both immediate and extended, and teaching were the loves of her life. She said the making of homemade bread and piecing and hand quilting quilts were her therapy. She told her husband before her departure, "Don't you let them make a saint out of me." She knew she had feet of clay. But, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Prov. 31:28. Family will greet friends on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, Ottawa, KS. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2015 at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, Ottawa, KS. Burial will follow at Evergreen Mound Cemetery, Ottawa, KS. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Missions c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, Kansas. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lois Mae Hoerner please visit our Sympathy Store.

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