Lois M Ochsenhirt

Lois Mae Miller Ochsenhirt, a pillar of strength to her family, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026 in Riverton, UT at the age of 97. She was born January 31, 1929 in Kearney, Nebraska to Alma (Krumback) Miller and Raymond Miller, the second of four children. She graduated from Elm Creek High School as valedictorian. In 1946 she married Thomas Wayne Chandler and moved to Sidney, Nebraska where they had three daughters: Cheryl, Diane, and Mary Jo. After their divorce, she married Walter M Clark and blended her family with his, which included his children Deb, Rod, Pam, Judi,and Mel. Walt and Lois later had two children together, Gail and Ron. They moved to Utah in 1974. Following Walt’s passing in 1989, she married Willi Ochsenhirt in 1993. They lived in Riverton and later moved to Daybreak. Willi passed away in 2020.

Lois was always on her feet. She worked at Baldwin Mfg. in Kearney, Nebraska for 15 years while raising her and Walt’s 10 children. After moving to Utah, she worked for National Semiconductor until her retirement at age 65. “Retirement” didn’t suit her, however, and she soon went to work at the Distribution Center at the Jordan River Temple, where she loved serving new missionaries and temple patrons. She worked there until she was 89 years old, only leaving because she felt she wasn't getting enough hours.

Lois was happiest when she was serving others, traveling (especially cruises), and being surrounded by family. Her grandkids still have fond memories of going to dinner at her house every Sunday, where they’d partake of her delicious meals (beef and noodles were a favorite!), pies (banana cream especially!) and a candy dish filled with spice gumdrops. She loved flowers, playing card games - especially rummy, blitz, and spoons - and watching her beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers and BYU Cougars football teams. Her sassy attitude, quick wit, and sharp mind stayed with her until the end.

Family remained Lois’s number one priority. She loved Christmas Eve, when the whole extended family would crowd into her family room for oyster stew and opening presents. She remembered names and birthdates of all her family members and never missed sending a yearly birthday card to each one, always with crisp cash included.

She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, service to her family and others, and devotion to her faith. A convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - she was baptized in her late twenties in a cold Nebraska lake - she had an unwavering testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ and spent her life trying to follow Him. She especially loved doing temple work and served as a temple worker for 20 years. It was said that she and Willi did more temple work in a year than their entire ward.

Lois is survived by her children Cheryl Boyle, Diane Bassetti (Chet), Mary Jo Dabling (Ralph), Deb Wagner (Darrell), Rod Clark (Laurie), Pam Marshall, Judi Clark, Mel Taylor, Gail Thacker (Kevin), and Ron Clark, and members of Willi's family. She is survived by 35 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Alma and Ray Miller, siblings Gene Miller, Jerry Miller, and Barb Czimer, husband Willi Ochsenhirt, one great granddaughter Maely Anderson, and sons-in-law Mark (Mick) Boyle, Larry Taylor, and Jeffrey Marshall.

Funeral Services will be on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Garden Park Stake Center located at 10770 S. Lamond Dr, South Jordan, Utah 84009. The viewing will be held from 9:45-10:45 am. The funeral will begin at 11:00 am. Services provided by Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Live stream available at https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/SNV9NP

Donations can be made at https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/