Lois Leader

Lois Leader, age 87, of Crofton, Nebraska, died on Sunday, December 24, 2023 at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota. We are certain that she was greeted with open arms by the love of her life, Lyle, after waiting for this reunion for over 30 years. We can only imagine the great joy and tears of happiness she experienced over the past few days as she celebrated her first Christmas with him and with Jesus in Heaven!

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton with Reverend Jim Keiter officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Rose Cemetery in Crofton.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, on Friday, December 29 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

Pallbearers are her eight grandsons: Jeremy Koch, Justin, Ryan, Preston, Calvin, Alex, Logan and Ayden Leader.  Honorary pallbearers are her 16 granddaughters and 37 great grandchildren.

Lois Ann was born March 3, 1936 on a farm near Crofton, Nebraska as the third of seven children to Fritz and Hildegard (Steffen) Guenther.  She grew up in Crofton and graduated from Crofton High School in 1954.  On October 30, 1956, Lois married Lyle Leader.  After their marriage, they lived on a farm for a few years and then moved into Crofton where Lois ran an in-home daycare for 30 years.  She loved kids and always saw the best in them.  She truly enjoyed caring for them and helping them grow.  Days were filled with card games and yard games of 'Simon Says,' 'Mother May I?' and 'Duck, Duck, Goose' and of course, snack time after naps or school. Every day after school, Lois would be outside waving to all the kids going by on the bus. Kids were often found at her home on weekends too for cousin sleepovers in the summertime and for sledding, building snowmen and warming up in the house with hot cocoa during the winter.

Lois was a tremendous woman of faith.  She was very active in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and also with the Christian Mothers. Lois loved decorating for the holidays and collecting angels. Lois was a kind, caring woman who was the definition of nurturing. She would always put everyone else before herself. You would always be welcomed by her at the door of her home with great hospitality. She would invite you in for a chat and offer you a warm, homemade meal. You were not allowed to leave without a sweet treat in hand, often one of her famous scotcheroos, and at least one big hug with an invitation to "stop by again when you can."  On the chance you didn't find her at home, she would always leave a note to let you know which one of her grandchildren's birthdays, church or school events she was off celebrating. She rarely missed those. She treasured her family and will be greatly missed.

Lois is survived by her six children: Linda (Dave) Koch of Wynot, NE, Larry (Lori) Leader of Yankton, Gary (Karen) Leader of Crofton, Randy (Cheri) Leader of Crofton, Joe (Lori) Leader of Crofton, and Tim Leader (Betty Cruz) of Monroe, NE; 24 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; two brothers, Donnie (Bev) Guenther and Daryl (Dorothy) Guenther, both of Crofton; one sister, Donna Mae Guenther of Crofton; and many nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle on August 16, 1991; her parents; and three sisters: Ernestine (Alvin) Hegge, Della (Conrad) Kaup, and Sr. Janet Guenther.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church or St. Rose of Lima School.