Lois Marie Birkey

Lois Marie Snyder was the 6th child born to Bert and Gladys Zook Snyder at La Junta, Colorado on Aug. 1, 1934. She received her formal education at the Cheraw Consolidated School and at Hesston Academy, graduating in 1952. Her early church experience and subsequent baptism was at the East Holbrook Mennonite Church at Cheraw, Colorado at age 11. She started her active church participation at the age of 15 by leading congregational singing, teaching Bible School at Cheraw and mission outposts, and singing in special music with her brothers and sisters. After graduating from Hesston, Lois volunteered at the Mennonite Children's Home in Kansas City, Ks., caring for 10 younger school age boys from Oct. '52 until the summer of '54. While at the Children's Home, she met Jake Birkey from Manson, IA. who was also volunteering at the Children's Home. They were married Aug. 13, 1954 and settled on the farm in Manson. Five years later they moved to Kansas City where they took over the leadership of the Mennonite Children’s Home. They moved back to Iowa in 1968 where they remained until 2018. Lois’s involvement in the life of the church continued throughout her life. She was a chorister, served on the worship committee, was a Youth sponsor, participated in Women’s Mennonite Sewing Circle, Family Life Committee, Sunday School & Bible School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, & church librarian. She helped many years with Bible Memory Camp as song leader, counselor, & nurse. Lois was an E.M.T. for 15 yrs., an assistant to a Pre-School teacher for 4 ½ years, did volunteer work at the Good Samaritan nursing home, the hospital in Ft. Dodge, and Golden Meadows retirement center. Jake & Lois also spent several years caring for foster children and teaching the Scooters in the Pioneer Club program at church. They also spent 2 weeks one summer volunteering at Spruce Lake, a Christian Retreat Center in PA. Lois enjoyed walking, biking, camping, doing ceramics, music, quilting, & spending time with her children and grandchildren. Her home was always open to family and friends. Lois is survived by 3 sons, Lowell (Dianne) Birkey, Marlin (Cherie) Birkey, Dellis (Sharon) Birkey, a daughter, Marcia (Dave) Weaver, 15 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Alma Schloneger. Preceding her in death were her parents, Bert and Gladys Snyder, an infant sister Ruth, brothers Allen, Melvin, and Kenneth, a sister Alta, grandson Jayd, and her husband, Jake. Cremation is planned with graveside services to be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Eastlawn Cemetery, rural Hesston. A celebration of life service will follow at 11 a.m., at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Lois Marie Birkey

August 1, 1934 - May 17, 2025