Obituary of Lois Ann Folkers

Lois Ann Folkers, age 85, of Crofton, NE passed away unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. A Scripture service will be 3:30 PM, Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Deacon Frank Filaus officiating. Burial of her cremated remains will take place on a later date. Visitations will be from 4 to 6 PM, Saturday afternoon with the family present at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD. Lois Ann Folkers was born November 9, 1930 to Herman and Frances (Buschkamp) Huchtmeier in Yankton, SD and raised on a family farm north of Crofton, NE where she developed her free spirit. She attended Beaver Creek Rural School and graduated from Crofton High School in 1947. Lois's passion in life was teaching, at 16 years old she started teaching in many rural schools in Northeast Nebraska. She then taught at St. Rose of Lima, St. Boniface Elementary, Menominee NE and Santee Elementary School. Lois attended Wayne Normal School, received a teaching certificate, graduated from Yankton College with a BA in Elementary Education and graduated from Wayne State College with a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. Lois retired at 65, but continued impacting students' lives as a para-professional educator at Lincoln Elementary until she was 80. In her "free time", she also worked at Gurney's, Sr. James Nursing Home and Walmart. Many of her family and friends received early morning wake up calls to get the latest family news, and a weather report with current road conditions; always with advice on if a coat and hat were needed. She celebrated all life had to offer and she always put others needs before herself. She cared for her students, helping them learn and always keeping them warm with the extra gloves and hats she purchased. She was a lifelong learner, learning Spanish and most recently, how to maneuver her iPhone. Lois was captivated by Mother Nature, her love for the Sandhills of Nebraska (God's country), the beautiful landscape at Lewis & Clark Lake, and taking her grandkids kayaking down the Niobrara River. Lois was married to Malton Bruder from 1950-1954. To this union, 3 children were born, Laurita, Robert and Thomas. In 1959-1980, she was married to Donavon Folkers. To this union 2 children were born, Kimberly and Kent. Lois is survived by her children: Laurita (Bruder) and Don Miller, Thomas and Barbara Bruder, Kimberly (Folkers) and Paul Jensen and Kent and Pam Folkers; grandchildren: Brandon Bruder, Brent Bruder, Eric Miller, Jon Miller, Ashli (Jensen) Danilko, Chad Jensen, Ian Bruder, Brock Folkers and Tessa Folkers; great-grandchildren: Reggie Bruder, Grant Miller, Cate Miller, Chase Miller, and Adison Danilko; sisters-in-law: Cathy Huchtmeier, Vivian Bruder, Doris Folkers and Joan Bruder; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Malton Bruder; son, Robert Bruder; husband, Donovan Folkers; parents, Herman and Frances (Buschkamp) Huchtmeier; sister, Betty Kuehler; and brother, Dean Huchtmeier.