Lois Theresa Woodard, at the age of 93 years and 6 months, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and World War II veteran, passed from this life Feb. 7, 2017, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lois was born Aug. 7, 1923, to her parents, Frank and Theresa Paisley Hobbs of Quinlan, Okla. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
The Rev. Julia E. F. Poulsen, the church pastor, conducted the services. Honorary casket bearers were Steve Long, Carson Huisman, Alex Long and Aaron Huisman. Casket bearers were Gary Horacek, Daniel Hodson, Nate Huisman, Nick Huisman, Allan Wright and Les Thomas.
Her organist was Danielle Curtis, and Gary Haupert sang the hymns “How Great Thou Art,” “Hymn of Promise” and “God Be with You.” Everyone was invited to a time of lunch and fellowship immediately following the service, served by the Jefferson First United Methodist Church ladies.
The graveside services were conducted by the Rev. Rebecca Hjelle of the Blair First United Methodist Church at the Blair Cemetery in Blair, Neb., and military honors by U.S. Navy Funeral Honors.
Lois graduated from Waynoka High School in Waynoka, Okla., in 1941.
In 1943 she joined the U.S. Navy as a member of the WAVES. She did her basic training in New York City, and then she was on to Ohio for code training. Soon she was assigned to a Navy air station in Dayton Beach, Fla.
It was there that she met her husband of 58 years, Russell Woodard. They were married in Medicine Lodge, Kan., Sept. 16, 1946.
Russ worked for the C.N.W. Railroad at that time, and they lived for two years in Blair. They also lived near an Indian Reservation in North Dakota before settling in Verdigres, Neb., where they were blessed with two daughters, Barbara and Beth.
In 1965, because of an employment opportunity for her husband they moved to Jefferson. The family lived in the house next to Kelso Park for 50 years.
Lois worked at the Greene County Medical Center for 24 years as a housekeeper, then as a physical therapy aide and finally as a long-term nurses’ aide.
She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church.
Lois enjoyed coffee dates with former co-workers and congregate meals with friends. She was always very willing to help out her friends with car rides to various functions, meals and doctor appointments.
Lois was an avid gardener, especially loving her flowers. She catered to the birds, squirrels, the occasional deer and a fox that wandered into their yard.
Lois loved her family very much and was extremely proud of each one of them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Theresa Hobbs; brothers John, James and Forrest Hobbs; husband, Russ Woodard; daughter, Barbara Horacek; several sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; aunts; uncles; and cousins.
Those left to remember her love include her daughter, Beth Wright of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; grandchildren, Melinda (Steve) Long, Melissa Huisman, Pamela (Les) Thomas and Jessica (Daniel) Hodson; stepchildren, Denise Thomas and Nick Horacek; great-grandchildren, Allan (fiancée Genna) Wright, Abby Sherwood, Alexis Long, Alex Long, Nate Huisman, Kelsey Huisman, Nick Huisman, Carson Huisman, Madison Hodson, Megan Hodson and Aaron Thomas; son-in-law, Gary Horacek; sister-in-law, Virginia Welch of Denver, Colo.;, brother-in-law, Jim (Kay) Woodard of Blair; step-grandchildren, Denise (Raheem) Tomas of Omaha, Neb., and Nick (April) Horacek of Missouri; Step-great-grandchildren, Calon (Brandi) Horacek of Omaha, Cahron Tomas of Omaha, Ci’Leayah Tomas of Omaha; step-great-great-gandchildren, Shae’Lynn Horacek and Caeden Horacek of Omaha: numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, P.O. Box 253, 403 N. Elm St., Jefferson, IA 50129.
