Lois Theresa Woodard

Lois Theresa Woodard, at the age of 93 years and 6 months, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, and WWII veteran, passed from this life on February 7, 2017 in Des Moines, Iowa. Lois was born August 7, 1923 to her parents Frank and Theresa Paisley Hobbs of Quinlan, Oklahoma. Funeral Services were held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 13, 2017, First United Methodist Church, Jefferson, Iowa the Rev. Julia E. F. Poulsen the church pastor conducted the services. Honorary Casket Bearers were Steve Long, Carson Huisman, Alex Long and Aaron Huisman the Casket bearers were Gary Horacek, Daniel Hodson, Nate Huisman, Nick Huisman, Allan Wright and Les Thomas. Her organist was Danielle Curtis and Gary Haupert sang the hymns How Great Thou Art, Hymn of Promise and God Be With You. Everyone was invited to a time of lunch and fellowship immediately following the service served by the Jefferson First United Methodist Church ladies. The Graveside Services were conducted by Rev. Rebecca Hjelle of the Blair First United Methodist Church at the Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska, and Military Honors by U. S. Navy Funeral Honors. She graduated Waynoka High School in OK in 1941. In 1943 she joined the U.S. Navy as a member of the WAVES. She did her basic training in New York City and then she was on to Ohio for code training. Soon she was assigned to a Navy air station in Dayton Beach, FL. It was there that she met her husband of 58 years, Russell Woodard. They were married in Medicine Lodge, KS on September 16, 1946. Russ worked for the C.N.W. Railroad at that time and they lived for two years in Blair, NE. They also lived near an Indian Reservation in North Dakota before settling in Verdigres, NE where they were blessed with two daughters, Barbara and Beth. In 1965, because of an employment opportunity for her husband they moved to Jefferson, IA. The family lived in the house next to Kelso Park for 50 years. Lois worked at the Greene County Medical Center for 24 years as a housekeeper, then as a physical therapy aide, and finally as a Long Term nurses' aide. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. Lois enjoyed coffee dates with former co-workers and congregate meals with friends. She was always very willing to help out her friends with car rides to various functions, meals and doctor appointments. Lois was an avid gardener, especially loving her flowers. She catered to the birds, squirrels, the occasional deer, and a fox that wandered into their yard. Lois loved her family very much and was extremely proud of each one of them. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Theresa Hobbs; brothers John, James, and Forrest Hobbs; husband Russ; daughter Barbara Horacek; several sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; aunts, uncles, and cousins. Those left to remember her love include her daughter Beth Wright of Pleasant Hill, IA; grandchildren: Melinda Long (Steve), Melissa Huisman, Pamela Thomas (Les), and Jessica Hodson (Daniel), stepchildren Denise Thomas and Nick Horacek , also surviving Lois are great-grandchildren: Allan Wright (fiance Genna), Abby Sherwood, Alexis Long, Alex Long, Nate Huisman, Kelsey Huisman, Nick Huisman, Carson Huisman, Madison Hodson, Megan Hodson, and Aaron Thomas; son-in-law Gary Horacek, sister-in-law Virginia Welch of Denver, CO, brother-in-law Jim Woodard (Kay) of Blair, NE, Step grand-children: Denise Tomas (Raheem) Omaha, NE; Nick Horacek (April) MO; Step great grandchildren: Calon Horacek (Brandi) Omaha, NE; Cahron Tomas, Omaha, Ne; Ci'Leayah Tomas, Omaha, Ne.Step great great-gandchildren: Shae'Lynn Horacek and Caeden Horacek, Omaha, Nebraska, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association and may be sent to Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson. Box 253, 403 North Elm, Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515 386-8181 hastingsfuneral@netins.net hastingsfh.com 1417 2nd St Perry, Iowa 50220 515 465-4691 hastings@ minburncomm.net MEMORIALS are suggested to the Alzheimers Association.