Lois Leader

CROFTON — Lois Leader, 87, Crofton, died Dec. 24, 2023, at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, S.D. We are certain she was greeted with open arms by the love of her life, Lyle, after waiting for this reunion for more than 30 years. We can only imagine the great joy and tears of happiness she experienced over the past few days as she celebrated her first Christmas with him and with Jesus in Heaven.

Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 a.m., Dec. 30, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton, with Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.

Burial was in the St. Rose Cemetery, Crofton. Pallbearers were her eight grandsons: Jeremy Koch, Justin, Ryan, Preston, Calvin, Alex, Logan and Ayden Leader.

Honorary pallbearers were her 16 granddaughters and 37 great-grandchildren.

Visitation was 5-7 p.m., Dec. 29, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with a rosary and vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation continued one hour prior to the funeral Saturday.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.

Lois Ann was born March 3, 1936, on a farm near Crofton, as the third of seven children to Fritz and Hildegard (Steffen) Guenther. She grew up in Crofton and graduated from Crofton High School in 1954. Lois married Lyle Leader Oct. 30, 1956. After their marriage, they lived on a farm for a few years and then moved into Crofton where Lois ran an in-home daycare for 30 years.

She loved kids and always saw the best in them. She truly enjoyed caring for them and helping them grow. Days were filled with card games and yard games of ‘Simon Says,’ ‘Mother May I?’ and ‘Duck, Duck, Goose,’ and of course, snack time after naps or school. Every day after school, Lois would be outside waving to all the kids going by on the bus. Kids were often found at her home on weekends also for cousin sleepovers in the summertime and for sledding, building snowmen and warming up in the house with hot cocoa during the winter.

Lois was a tremendous woman of faith. She was very active in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, and also with the Christian Mothers. Lois loved decorating for the holidays and collecting angels. She was a kind, caring woman who was the definition of nurturing. She would always put everyone else before herself. You would always be welcomed by her at the door of her home with great hospitality. She would invite you in for a chat and offer you a warm, homemade meal. You were not allowed to leave without a sweet treat in hand, often one of her famous scotcheroos, and at least one big hug with an invitation to “stop by again when you can.” On the chance you didn’t find her at home, she would always leave a note to let you know which one of her grandchildren’s birthdays, church, or school events she was off celebrating. She rarely missed those. She treasured her family and will be greatly missed.

Lois is survived by her six children: Linda (Dave) Koch, Wynot; Larry (Lori) Leader, Yankton, S.D.; Gary (Karen) Leader, Crofton; Randy (Cheri) Leader, Crofton; Joe (Lori) Leader, Crofton; and Tim Leader (Betty Cruz), Monroe; 24 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donnie (Bev) Guenther and Daryl (Dorothy) Guenther, both of Crofton; one sister, Donna Mae Guenther, Crofton; and many nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, Aug. 16, 1991; her parents; and three sisters, Ernestine (Alvin) Hegge, Della (Conrad) Kaup, and Sr. Janet Guenther.