Obituary for Lois Ellen Wolber

After fighting a long battle with dementia, Lois Ellen Wolber, 85, of Ada, went home to be with her heavenly Father on June 17th, 2024, while surrounded by family at Mennonite Memorial Home, Bluffton.

Lois was born on February 5, 1939, to George and B. Oleta (Dible) Burks. She was the seventh of twelve children. She was a cheerleader at McCutchenville High School where she graduated in 1956.  The love of her life was Jerry Wolber. They met through letters written to each other while Jerry was serving in Korea. Lois would often excitedly recount the story of when Jerry came to meet her while she worked at the bank. They were married on June 23rd, 1957, after only two months of dating. They went on to celebrate 67 years of marriage together.

Lois was a proud mother of seven children: Jerry Ronald Wolber II, George (Stacy) Wolber, Eric Wolber, Fred (Vickie) Wolber, Mindy (Lyle) Jolliff, Melissa (Todd) Klingler, and Dee (Kent) Everhart, all of Ada. She was a beloved grandmother to 22 grandchildren and great grandmother to 44 great grandchildren. She was a permanent fixture at her loved ones’ ball games. Her cheering and yodeling could be easily picked out from the crowd. At times she would feed the entire team after a game.

Lois was truly one of a kind.  Even while struggling with dementia, Lois remained positive, bubbly, and giggly. She brightened the day of any person that she encountered through her infectious laughter, silly yet hard-to-follow stories, and delicious cooking. Faith and family were the most important aspects of Lois’ life, both of which will be her legacy.

She showed her love through cooking, hosting large family dinners with all her best recipes. Chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, applesauce, noodles, and baked beans were among her staples. She also loved to make special treats–Rice Krispies, frosted graham crackers, and her infamous “banana stuff.”

Her faith, in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was very important to her. Lois and Jerry spent many years with evangelist Wayne and Hattie Nelson traveling to different churches spreading the gospel through teaching and music. Lois and Hattie would teach the young children Bible stories and was fondly known as “Grandma” to everyone.  She will be loved, remembered and missed by so many. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and B. Oleta (Dible) Burks, two sons, Jerry Ronald Wolber II, Eric Joseph Wolber, one grandson, Daniel James Klingler, two great grandsons, Alexander David West, Zy’on E’mond Bedford and 8 siblings.

Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 PM on Friday, June 21, 2024 at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada.  Burial will be in Hasson Cemetery, Jenera.   

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, June 21st at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada.             

Memorial contributions may be made to Bridge Hospice, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, Ohio 45840 and/or the Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 West Elm Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.  

The family would like to recognize and thank the staff at the Mennonite Memorial Home of Bluffton and Bridge Hospice of Findlay for the exceptional, loving care they provided mom.