Lois Groening was born August 1, 1933 to David and Emma (Madsen) Weber in Hillsboro, Kansas. She was the youngest of five children, growing up in Canada, Kansas where her father operated a blacksmith shop and ran a custom threshing business during the harvest season.
Lois attended grade school at the two-room Canada schoolhouse about a half mile from their home. Her parents were members of the Strassburg Baptist Church northeast of Canada and it was there that she was baptized in 1944 at the age of eleven. Three years later Lois began attending high school in Hillsboro, staying with one of her older sisters at a boarding house during the week.
It was in high school that Lois met her future husband, Loren Groening. After graduating in 1951, she was first employed as a bookkeeper for Vogt’s Grocery and then later as a teller at the First National Bank. On August 26, 1955 she and Loren were married in the Strassburg Baptist Church.
Lois and Loren moved to Wichita so that Loren could attend Wichita State University while Lois worked at the Boulevard State Bank. After one semester, they decided they preferred small community life and moved back to Hillsboro. Over the next several years their two children, Terri Diane and Kelly David, were born.
Upon returning to Hillsboro, Lois transferred her church membership to the First Mennonite Church. She became active in the church and over the years taught Sunday School and Bible School, sang in the choir, and served on various committees. In 1959, Loren and Lois entered into the clothing business and Lois worked as bookkeeper, salesperson, and buyer for Groening Clothiers over the next 29 years.
One of Lois’ passions was music and in 1980 she, LaVonne Calam, and Myrta Bartel formed a singing trio group along with Elaine Jantzen as accompanist. They named their group JOI and gave numerous programs in churches and the community over the next 10 years. She was also active with the Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair, serving on several committees.
After retiring from the clothing business in 1988, Lois and Loren shifted gears. They worked at the Snow Mountain YMCA Ranch near Winter Park, Colorado on three separate occasions, with the longest lasting 2 ½ months. They also became part-time tour directors for Prudent Tours, leading 29 tours over a 10-year period.
Lois will be remembered for her devotion to family, as a woman of faith and inner strength, while striving for everyday grace. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Loren; her parents, Dave and Emma; brother Walter Weber; and sisters Francis Kreutziger, Noreen Hein and Arlene Schroeder. She is survived by daughter Terri Groening and Randy Morningstar of Sarasota, FL; and son, Kelly Groening of Hillsboro, KS.
Celebration of Life 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro officiated by Pastor Tom Harder. Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Memorials to Camp Mennoscah or Hillsboro Community Foundation Parkside Homes Fund in care of Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.