Lois Ruth Neher

Lois Ruth Neher, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She died from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Lois was born in McPherson, KS on December 20, 1928. Her parents moved to Pampa, TX, where Lois grew up. She attended McPherson College, graduating in 1951. She began her career teaching elementary school in Newton, KS. Lois married Gerald A. Neher on December 23, 1952.

In 1954 the young couple went to the mission field in Nigeria with the Church of the Brethren, where they raised their four children. Over the next fourteen years, Lois instructed adults in Chibok, Mubi, and Kulp Bible School. They returned to the US in 1968, where Lois taught elementary school in Illinois. She retired from the public school system in Anna, IL in 1989.

Lois and Gerald raised full-blood Simmental cattle, Appaloosa horses, Greater Swiss Mountain dogs, and a menagerie of other animals on their farm in Anna. They hosted many foreign exchange students. They were members of the United Methodist Church in Anna and Carbondale, IL.

In 2008 Lois and Gerald moved back to McPherson and resided at the Cedars Retirement Community. Lois co-authored two books with her husband: Life Among the Chibok of Nigeria and Glimpses of Life in Northeast Nigeria: 1954 - 1968. She was a member of the McPherson Church of the Brethren.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan A. Yoder and Fidelia (Frantz) Yoder Stubbs, and by her husband, Gerald. She is survived by her children Rodney Neher (Mary) of Janesville, WI; Karen Neher (Mahamoud) of McPherson, KS; Bryce Neher (Melissa) of Udell, IA; and Connie Weesner (Bill) of Hutchinson, KS; and by the following grandchildren: Ben Neher, Isaac Neher (Betsy), Joel Neher, Kyle Neher (Danielle), Luke Neher, Courtney Weesner, and Annie Weesner. She is also survived by her brother Gordon Yoder (Ann) of Longmont, CO.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 3, at the McPherson Church of the Brethren. Note: masks will be required at the service. Inurnment will follow at McPherson Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN), Cedars Retirement Community, or the McPherson Animal Shelter Medical Fund. Send donations in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lois Ruth Neher please visit our Sympathy Store.