Lois Rickers Kirkman passed away on February 13, 2019. She was born on May 24, 1921 in Omaha, Nebraska, the eldest daughter of loving Christian parents, Edward W. Rickers and Amanda Sohl Rickers. Her younger sister, Doris Jean, joined the family two years later. Their first frame home was located in a rural area in western Iowa and they attended the Jackson Township No. 5 Center School. Lois’s Father was a progressive farmer, the son of a retired landowner with four farms and other land interests. Her Mother was an accomplished seamstress, a fine homemaker, and loved her flowers and garden. Lois and her sister enjoyed taking music lessons and playing the piano. Lois lived the first 15 years of her life in Crawford County, Iowa. Upon the death of her parents in an auto accident, she and her sister moved to Douglas County, Nebraska. Lois resided with her Mother’s sister, Alvina Hibbeler, and her cousins Darlene, Dick and Elinor. Lois received instruction and was confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Millard where she taught and attended Sunday School. Lois graduated from Millard High School with honors and attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha for a year before completing courses in Business School. Afterwards, in patriotic support of the country’s WWII war effort, she began employment with the U.S. Military in the Personnel Office of Glenn L. Martin Nebraska Bomber Plant at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha. In July 1943, Lois married Loring Kirkman. They lived in Omaha and Sioux City, Iowa for a short time before moving to Lincoln. Lois was a long time employee of Folsom Bros. Co., later known as Gateway Insurance, and retired in May of 1984. She was a Communicant Member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, a Past President of the Insurance Women of Lincoln, and an active member of the American Business Women’s Association. She was also a lifelong member of the Lincoln chapter of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the largest and oldest war veterans service organization. Lois suffered few illnesses in her lifetime. She often worked with endless determination, not always succeeding, but willing to face failure if that be the case. Her husband, Loring, to whom she was married nearly 67 years, was always the face “on the other side of her coin of life.” He was patient and considerate of the failings and appreciative of her success. Private services will be held at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 510 S. 33rd St., Lincoln, Nebraska. Lois was preceded in death by her husband and her sister in 2010. She is survived by her niece, Sheila Roberts, and many loving cousins including Darlene Lane, Elinor Schieman, Wilma Sagers, Norma Sinn and Allen Sohl.
DONATIONS
Redeemer Lutheran Church
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18