Lois A Duensing

Funeral Services for Lois Duensing will be conducted from the First Baptist Church at Oxford, Nebraska on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Paul Sowden, officiating. Interment will be in the Holbrook Cemetery in Holbrook, Nebraska.

Lois Arlene Duensing, 94 years of age, of Oxford, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Colonial Villa Good Samaritan Center in Alma, Nebraska. She was born on November 22, 1917 at Nora, Nebraska the fourth of five children born to Martin and Oral (Coles) Hamel. In 1922 her family moved to a farm near Holbrook the town she would call home for most of her life. Lois was baptized in her early teenage years and became a member of the Holbrook Baptist Church where her membership remained throughout her life. She attended school in Holbrook and graduated from Holbrook High School with the class of 1935.

On March 6, 1943, she was united in marriage at the home of her sister to Arthur Duensing. This blessed marriage would last for nearly 69 years. Lois was the proud wife of a WWII serviceman in the mid 1940s as Art was serving in Germany and other various locations. Upon Art's return from the service, they made their home on a farm north of Holbrook where Lois helped around the farm and was a devoted housewife.

On April 13, 1948 they were blessed with the arrival of their only child, Phyllis. The family continued farming until 1964 when they moved into Holbrook and Art began working at the Holbrook CO-OP. Art and Lois resided in the Holbrook community until 1999 when they moved to Oxford to be closer to their family.

Lois was a very devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She would never hesitate to share her faith with people she came into contact with. Some of the most enjoyable times in her life came when she gathered with her family around the table to enjoy a good meal including a prayer, some of her great homemade chicken and noodles, dinner rolls and her delicious homemade pies for dessert. She had a special place in her heart for her only grandson, Neal and she always treasured the times he would come and spend days at a time with "Dad and Nanny," the names he gave her and Art at a young age. She also shared that special bond with her great-grandchildren, Philip and Laura. She enjoyed having them come over to the house where they helped make those noodles, do the dishes, fix supper or just sit down for a chat to see how their day had been. Lois always had time to stop what she was doing and take care of the needs of others, especially her family. Another great joy in her life was sewing. For many years you would go to her home and find the dining room table stretched out and covered with fabric and a pattern to make a new dress or outfit for herself or for Phyllis' birthday. She took great pride in her sewing as well. Another special talent Lois had was singing. She enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years and also sang solos or duets at many funerals in the Holbrook community.

Lois's faith was first and foremost in her life. She and Art faithfully attended the Baptist Church in Holbrook for over 50 Years where she was involved in many women's groups and other activities. After moving to Oxford, she and Art attended the Baptist Church there where they enjoyed the fellowship with their new Christian friends. The past few months have been some of the most challenging days of her lifetime, but she always reminded those close to her to "Just keep trusting in God and He will take care of us." It was that faith that sustained her throughout her life, and that same faith that she encouraged others to have as they faced the ups and downs in their lives. Her caring spirit and loving heart will be greatly missed by many who knew her.

Besides her parents, Lois was preceded in death by three brothers: Verl in infancy, Morris Hamel at age 4, Hollis Hamel and his wife, Darlene; one sister, Eunice Missing and her husband, Paul; and a nephew, Duane Missing and his wife, Doris.

She leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband, Art Duensing of Oxford; one daughter, Phyllis McInturf and her husband, Ed of Oxford; one grandson, Neal McInturf and his wife, Margaret of Oxford; two great-grandchildren: Philip and Laura McInturf of Oxford; nieces, nephews, many other relatives, friends and her church family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 9, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.