Lois Bertha (Atrops) Lobeda's Obituary
Lois Bertha (Atrops) Lobeda
(November 29, 1926-August 25, 2022)
Lois Lobeda, 95, was called home to Heaven by our Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 25, 2022. She passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by her children. She was looking forward to being reunited with Bill, her beloved husband of over 68 years.
The sixth of seven children, Lois was born on November 29, 1926, to Rev. Herman and Pauline Atrops at their home in Chicago Park, CA. She was baptized (by her father) and confirmed in the Lutheran church. At 13, she played for church services and taught Sunday School. Her other early jobs included cashiering at two five-and-ten-cent stores and working as a secretary. Lois graduated from Mark Keppel High School, in Alhambra, CA, in 1944. Lois met Bill, the love of her life, in Los Angeles, CA, in 1943; got engaged in Tacoma, WA, in 1944; and was married in Tampa, FL, in 1945. From there, they moved to Greensboro, NC, and then to Monterey Park, CA, where they gave birth to their first child. In September, 1946, Lois and Bill moved to Tacoma, WA, where their additional five children were born.
Lois loved being involved in her church. In Tacoma, she and Bill were charter members of Good Shepherd Lutheran and then Our Savior Lutheran. Eventually, they joined Faith Lutheran and most recently St. Paul Lutheran. In later years, Lois attended services at Parkland Lutheran as well. Lois served in many capacities: playing the piano and organ, directing and singing in two trios and multiple choirs, teaching Sunday School and VBS, and participating in the Evangelism Committee, Ladies’ Guild, Altar Guild, and Prayer Chain. She was especially blessed with a call to be the first kindergarten teacher at Faith Lutheran School, where she loved teaching and sharing the love of Jesus!
Lois valued her connections with many people. She delighted in sending greeting cards, including Christmas cards and her annual Christmas poem. In addition to writing poetry, Lois had fun doing many activities including gardening, giving piano lessons and sharing her love of music, making pickles and other canning, scrapbooking, oil painting, taking pictures, reading (including the Bible many times through), playing Pinochle and other games, sewing, embroidery, clam digging, and jumping ocean waves! She also enjoyed traveling with Bill to Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, and many other places. Most of all, Lois loved spending time with her family.
Lois is survived by her six children (spanning 20 years), Kathleen (Richard) Shouse, Ronald (Cynthia) Moe-Lobeda, Lorraine (Howard) Ostrout, Barbara (Kent) Olson, Jolene (Martin) McClung, and Kimberly (Paul) Sevigny; twelve grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and the recent addition of one great-great grandchild! Lois is also survived by her younger sister, Juliana Kipp, and a large extended family. Preceding her in death are her parents, siblings, one grandson, and devoted husband, William D. Lobeda.
Lois was so thankful for her many friends and family. She regularly prayed for all of us and toward the end often said, “I’ll pray for you, you pray for me!” She had a joyful spirit and was lifted up every day by God’s amazing grace.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 8328, Tacoma, WA 98419; Parkland Lutheran School, 120 123rd St. S, Tacoma, WA 98444; and Evergreen Lutheran High School, 7306 Waller Rd. E, Tacoma, WA 98443.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Parkland Lutheran Church, 120 123rd Street South, Tacoma.
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