Lois Janet Hoehns

Lois Janet Hoehns, 92, of Sedalia, MO, passed away on November 27, 2024, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia. She was born on April 27, 1932, in Smithton, MO, the daughter of Harold H. and Ila G. (Hudson) Eichholz, who preceded her in death.

On May 20, 1950, at her parents home, in Smithton, MO, she was united in marriage to Rance M. Hoehns. He went on to his heavenly reward on April 18, 2007.

Lois grew up in the farming country in the Lake Creek township southeast of Smithton. At a young age she showed an aptitude for music, which inspired her parents to sell all the cream and eggs they could produce so that Lois could take piano lessons. She participated in numerous competitions and recitals, winning a number of ribbons, awards and accolades. She parlayed that into decades of playing the piano and organ at Lake Creek United Methodist Church and Campmeeting and numerous weddings, funerals and whole hog suppers. She was renowned for her ability to play any genre of music. She especially excelled at ragtime and never turned down a request to play "Maple Leaf Rag."

She was part of a cadre of hard working farm wives who cooked the meals, raised the children, planted the gardens, sewed the clothes, served as 4-H leaders, school room mothers and stood strong beside their husbands.

In 1976, Lois took a job as a cash cage employee worker at the K-Mart in Sedalia. She retired from that in 1994.

Her retirement years were spent making music, spending time with Rance, her children and grandchildren and enjoying the company of friends and relatives.

Lois is survived by two daughters, Rhonda Johnston (Pat) of Leawood, KS, and Ranell Sawford (Tom) of Smithton, MO; a son, Kevin Hoehns of Lawrence, KS; five grandchildren, Austin Johnston (Katherine), Alexandra Johnston, Reid Johnston, Jordan Sawford (Jenna), and Jessica Watson (Jacob); two great-granddaughters, Aubrey and Autumn Sawford; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Besides her parents, and husband, Lois is preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Berry.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia, with Pastors Jason Veale and Dan Page officiating.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.

The burial will follow at Lake Creek Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Cory Hoehns, Steve Berry, Justin Berry, Steve Ritzo, Jason Culp, and Dave Niebruegge.

Honorary bearers will be Paul T. Culp Jr., and Ruth Ann Culp.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Creek United Methodist Church, Lake Creek Campmeeting, and Helen G. Steele Music Club, in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.