Lois Jean Wendt

In the early morning hours of Dec 29th, 2020, Lois Jean Wendt of Vivian, S.D. passed from the loving arms of her family into the welcoming arms of her Redeemer. Her painful, five-year battle with cancer ended quietly and comfortably, surrounded by family, in Comfort Care at the CHI hospital in Kearney, Neb.

Lois Jean Moshier Wendt was born on Feb 24, 1939 to Lawrence and Anna Moshier of Sisseton, S.D. Her first two years of school were at a Sisseton area country school, then into Sisseton, except her 8th and 9th grades in Renton, Wash., before graduating with honors from Sisseton High School in 1957. Her continuing education included one year at Northern State, one year at USD, and received her four-yr. Degree by taking TV-correspondence courses and two summers at Black Hills State University.

While at USD, she met her husband, Lonis, in a speech class, whom she later married on Aug 8th, 1959. They made their home in Vivian for all their married life and were usually involved with Church both Catholic and Lutheran, community projects and celebrations. Lois often shared her talents for handicrafts and needlework, stage decorations and caring for community flowers during summertime. She cherished a good book and getting well-tanned each summer.

Lois was a quiet, gentle, caring person, who loved family and friends unconditionally, and quipped that: “gossip was a waste of intelligence.” In later years, she often exclaimed, “the best thing in my life was to have been a wife, mom, and a teacher…and I am not sure, in which order! As a “mom” she freely gave her love, wisdom and enthusiasm for her children and grandchildren’s educational perceptions. If you combined the early Hollywood version with a Rockwell painting of the ideal mother, you would see Lois.  She was great at everything but above all an amazing mom. She was tough when needed but always fair. Her hug could cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart. She was her kids and grandkids biggest fan at countless events offering praise and support and remaining calm no matter how intense the action was in front of her. Those of you who have watched your children perform know how difficult that is. And no one prayed harder for her “little” boys or grandson when they were off to war. She never stopped being mom even with children well into their 50’s, offering sage advice without judgment or meddling and always lit up whenever we called or visited. Everyone should be so lucky to have a mom like we did.

As a First-grade teacher, Lois left a legacy of bringing words to life, how numbers add up, storytelling and presented annual experiments to demonstrate how butterflies are born. A special talent was her individual, creative silhouettes of each 1st-grader, scores of which, became family treasures.

After their retirement in 1999, travel became the focus for Lois. She could be found cheering on her grandkids, visiting state capitols, following the Lewis & Clark trail up and down the Missouri River, and an active participant in several historic trail rides retracing the infamous Deadwood Gold Rush trails.

Lois leaves to mourn: her husband of 61 years, Lonis. Sons: Kevin (Ellen) of Newcastle, Wyo., Deron (Julie) of Bossier City, La., and daughters: Crystal Pardy (Thom) Billings, Mont. and Kellee Vornhagen (Allen) Kearney, Neb.  Ten grandchildren: Shalista, Kevin Jr., Lisa, Jordan, Jesse, Nathan, Haley, Austin, Philip, Maureena. Eight great-grandchildren; Kenedi, Somer, Pryce, Piper, Logan, Trevor, Jackson, Emma.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Anna Moshier, and three sisters, Darlene Arback, Shirley Hanson and Gail Olson. Husbands parents, Gus and Marie Wendt, brother Robert Wendt, and one grandson, Benjamin Pardy.

Services for Lois will be held in Vivian, S.D. at a date to be determined.

Memorials may be directed to the Vivian Lutheran Church or the Vivian Community Club.