Lois Jane (Richardson) Wittwer

Lois Jane (Richardson) Wittwer, 84, of Humboldt, Nebraska was born on August 23, 1931 to Bethel and Jennie (Haverkamp) Richardson.  She was raised in Verdon and graduated from the Verdon High School with the class of 1949.  Lois then attended Peru State College and received 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 involved with her daughter’s 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 John Deere dealership franchise for 27 years.  The success of their store provided an economic contribution to the local community.  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, Arizona to be near her sisters.  Lois always came back to Humboldt because it was home.  Lois had a quick wit and sense of humor and she enjoyed socializing.

Lois died on Monday, February 1, 2016 at Brighton Gardens Senior Living Center in Omaha, NE having reached the age of eighty-four years, five months, and nine days.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Sterling, sisters Betty (Ernest) Schuetz and Helen (Stanley) Smith, a brother Robert (Patricia) Richardson, brothers-in-law Don Fairbanks and James Lyons; and son-in-law Jack Sanders.

Lois is survived by daughters Nancy Wittwer of Omaha, NE; Donna Fankhauser and her husband Mike of Mountain View, AR; Jo Anne Wittwer of Nebraska City, NE: 4 grandchildren: James Ough of Steamboat Springs, CO; Michael Ough of Vernon, FL; Kyle Fankhauser of Dallas TX; Cory Fankhauser and wife Alexandria of Plano, TX; 2 great-grandchildren:  Ava and Remington Fankhauser;  2 step great-grandchildren Taylor Pendleton and Destiney Torres; sisters: Joan Mez and her husband Keith of San Antonio, TX; Peggy Fairbanks of Green Valley, AZ; Marie Lyons of Falls City, NE; a brother James Richardson and his wife Pat of De Funiak Springs, FL; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at The Four-Mile Congregational Church south of Humboldt, Nebraska with Pastor Ron Russell officiating.

Visitation will be from 9a.m.-8p.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016, at The Wherry Mortuary in Humboldt, Nebraska.  Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.

Inurnment will be at the Humboldt Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family’s choice with a later designation.

Online messages of condolence can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-Humboldt, Nebraska (402) 862-2915

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