Lois Elyea

VISITATION:  Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Family greeting friends and family 4 - 6pm

FUNERAL SERVICE:  Monday, July 1, 2013 at 11:00am

First United Methodist Church, Belleville, Kansas

BURIAL:  Belleville City Cemetery

MEMORIALS:  1st United methodist Church, Wichita Falls; Rolling Meadows Retirement Community;

Hospice of Wichita Falls

Lois Adeline Elyea went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the age of 91 years. She was born on July 30, 1921, at her maternal grandparent's home in Concordia, KS. and has resided at Rolling Meadows Retirement Community in Wichita Falls, TX. for over 25 years. She served several terms as president of the auxiliary, assisted with the offering at Wednesday night church services, was a regular participant in the weekly Bible study, and over the many years visited her friends who were at the Gables Long term Health Facility. She was an avid bridge player who accumulated Bridge Master Points and was always looking for a bridge game. She was a lifelong Methodist and sang in several church choirs with her husband Keith. She married Keith Elyea, her Belleville High School sweetheart, in Kansas City, MO. on January 26, 1940. She was in Kansas City attending MacGregor College of Beauty Culture and Keith was attending Business College in Chillicothe, MO. After they both graduated, Keith was offered a job in Van Horn, TX. at the El Capitan Hotel as a telegraph operator and Lois as a beautician where they lived until 1942 when Keith went to work for the Rock Island Railroad in Norton, KS. Son David Kent was born the same year. In 1944 Keith was drafted and served in the Army during WWII in France until 1946. After he returned from the war they moved to Fairbury, NB. where Keith resumed working for the Rock Island Railroad. Daughter Linda Diane was born there in 1947. Keith accepted a position as Chief Dispatcher and moved to Trenton, MO. in 1949. In 1953, son Michael Keith was born and the family resided there for over 14 years, the longest period in one location of their married lives. In 1962, a third son Phillip Kevin was still born and the same year the Rock Island announced the closure of the Trenton office. Keith accepted a position as Assistant Chief Dispatcher in Des Moines, IA. and once again the family moved. Tragically, Linda Diane was killed in an automobile accident on May 14, 1965, just days before her graduation from high school. In 1967 the family moved again as Keith was offered a promotion as Assistant Transportation Supervisor in Kansas City, KS. Lois and Keith resided in Overland Park, KS. until Keith's retirement in 1977. Lois was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker staying home until Mike was in high school. She then went to work at the Jones Store in Overland Park, KS. where she enjoyed working in the Lamps and Pictures Department. She received great satisfaction assisting shoppers in decorating their homes. Following their retirement, Lois and Keith moved to Russellville, AK. and lived there for 10 years where they enjoyed playing bridge, golf, and caring for their country home and garden. Lois was the third oldest of the eight Stuber daughters. The sisters remained close and over the years many good times were experienced at frequent Stuber reunions and sister-only gatherings. They were often found gathered around the piano and singing hymns from the Methodist Hymnal. Lois was preceded in death by her beloved husband Keith in 1987, her parents Fred and Nellie Stuber, sisters Louise, Jean, Kathleen, and Ramah, daughter Linda Diane and son Phillip Kevin. She is survived by her sisters Marilyn and her husband Tracy Dilling of Salina, Ks, Agnes Johnson of Republic, Ks, Judy and her husband Mike Killian of Green Valley, AZ, David and Karen Elyea of Tallahassee, FL. and Mike and Jeri Elyea of Wichita Falls, TX., 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.