Lois Jane (Richardson) Wittwer, 84, of Humboldt, passed away on Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at Brighton Gardens Senior Living Center in Omaha. She was born on Aug. 23, 1931 to Bethel and Jennie (Haverkamp) Richardson.
Lois was raised in Verdon and graduated from Verdon High School with the Class of 1949. Lois then attended Peru State College and earned her teaching certificate.
She became a country school teacher at Union Dale District #66 south of Humboldt, where she met her soul mate and partner for life. On April 21, 1951, Lois was united in marriage to John Sterling Wittwer and to this union three daughters — Nancy, Donna and Jo Anne — were born.
Lois was a member of the Christian Church in Verdon and Rebekah Lodge #100 in Humboldt. She was a 4-H leader for a number of years and was involved with her daughters’ school activities. Lois loved to dance, play cards and go out with friends.
In 1966, she and Sterling acquired the existing John Deere Dealership and together they were instrumental in the success of the southeast Nebraska farming community as the owners of the local dealership for 27 years. The success of their store provided an economic contribution to the local community and Lois enjoyed working with Sterling on a daily basis. After her retirement, she enjoyed wintering in Las Vegas for many years. Later she wintered in Green Valley, AZ to be near her sisters. Lois always came back to Humboldt because it was home. She had a quick wit and sense of humor and enjoyed socializing.
Lois is survived by daughters, Nancy Wittwer, of Omaha, Donna (Mike) Fankhauser, of Mountain View, AR, and Jo Anne Wittwer, of Nebraska City; grandchildren, James Ough of Steamboat Springs, CO, Michael Ough, of Vernon, FL, Kyle Fankhauser, of Dallas, TX, and Cory (Alexandria) Fankhauser, of Plano, TX; great-grandchildren, Ava and Remington Fankhauser; step-great-grandchildren, Taylor Pendleton and Destiney Torres; sisters, Joan (Keith) Mez, of San Antonio, TX, Peggy Fairbanks, of Green Valley, AZ, and Marie Lyons, of Falls City; brother, James (Pat) Richardson, of DeFuniak Springs, FL; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sterling; sisters, Betty (Ernest) Schuetz and Helen (Stanley) Smith; brother, Robert (Patricia) Richardson; brothers-in-law, Don Fairbanks and James Lyons; and son-in-law, Jack Sanders.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 at The Four-Mile Congregational Church south of Humboldt, with Pastor Ron Russell officiating. Inurnment will be at the Humboldt Cemetery at a later date.
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