Lois M. Wilken

Lois M. Wilken, 96, of Kearney, died Monday March 31, 2014 at the Mother Hull Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be Friday, April 4, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Eric Lesher and Pastor Tom Wilson officiating. Burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are suggested to the First Lutheran Church or the Loup County Museum. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a message of condolence, tribute or memory. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Lois was born February 12, 1918, in a sod house near Taylor, Nebraska to Garrison David Hyde and Elda Lucinda Patterson Hyde. Lois, the youngest of three daughters, was the 7th of 9 children. She graduated from Spring Creek District 25 and Loup County High School, and studied at Kearney Normal School from 1936 - 1938. Lois, a born teacher, began her teaching career at Madison Square School in Loup County, NE. In 1938, Lois accepted a teaching job in Hildreth, Nebraska where she met Walter W. Wilken. They were married at her parents’ home near Taylor on June 1, 1941. In 2011, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. When her husband was called to WWII, Lois followed him to Canada and Washington State while he served with the Army Corps of Engineers. After the war, Lois and Walt were busy raising their family of four; Judith, Charlotte, Warren and Lucinda. Lois and Walt were active in the Parent Teachers Association and received lifetime membership awards. Lois was a Girl Scout leader, an assistant 4-H leader, and attended piano recitals and band concerts for all four children. Lois and Walt were active members of First Lutheran Church, and she saw to it that their family attended Sunday school, sang in the choir, and went to confirmation classes and Luther League. She put Sunday dinner in the oven so it was ready to eat when the family came home from church. She spent a lot of time sewing for her family, making school clothes, prom dresses, and wedding dresses for the girls. In 1960 Lois returned to college to update her teaching certificate. After that, she became a substitute teacher and also taught 7th grade in Amherst, NE. In 1968 Lois began working as a receptionist for local optometrist, Dr. Fitch. Lois was active in the community. She volunteered at the 10,000 Villages store, Trails and Rails, and the Red Cross. She was active in the Kearney Area Retired Teachers Association, Town and Country Extension Club, First Lutheran’s Mary Circle, Ladies Auxiliary of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary of the Kearney Area Barbershoppers, and Kiwanis. Lois was known for her hospitality. She was an excellent cook who enjoyed baking something special to give her guests with black coffee or green tea. She loved growing fresh flowers; her table usually had a vase with flowers she had arranged. In later years, she appreciated the Sunday radio broadcasts from First Lutheran Church and also the In-Home Communion and visits from church members. Lois is survived by her son, Warren Wilken of Primm Springs, TN, daughters; Judith Sherrerd and her husband David of San Marcos, TX, Charlotte Webb and her husband Lonnie Webb of Mandeville, LA, Lucinda Mays and her husband Roger of Chadron, NE, grandchildren; William and Rachel Sherrerd, Katherine Sherrerd and Steven Voldase, Margaret Sherrerd, Maraike Cochrane, Rebecca and Ben Pomajzl, Nathan and Jessica Webb, Asher and Anna Webb, and Walt Mays, great grandchildren; Hannah and Meredith Sherrerd, Anna Voldase, Darby, Colby, and Ellie Pomajzl, sister-in-law Marcia Hyde of Des Moines, IA, many special and beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Walt, parents, brothers; Henry, Wayne, Dallas, Gary, Don, and Keith Hyde, and sisters; Mildred Hyde and Blanche Bohy. PDF Printable Version

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Lois M. Wilken

February 12, 1918 - March 31, 2014