Lois Harriet Kroenke, 86, of Shawano, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Maple Lane in the town of Belle Plaine. Born on July 26, 1927, in Lake Elmo, Minn., she was the daughter of the late Rev. Richard and Helene (Bussman) Jank.
After graduating from high school in Clear Lake, Lois attended Valparaiso University, where she earned her diploma in 1949. She was consecrated as a Lutheran deaconess the same year and served Faith Lutheran Church in Milwaukee for two years as a parish deaconess. She was united in marriage to Robert Kroenke in July 1951. From 1958 to 1962, Lois served as president for the North Wisconsin District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Lois and Bob made the trek in 1965 to Papua New Guinea, where she was a missionary involved with women’s work until 1971. She was very active in church activities at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church in the town of Richmond and was an avid gardener.
Lois is survived by her husband, Robert; two brothers, the Rev. Roland (Norma) Jank, of Nebraska, and the Rev. Orville (Arlene) Jank, of Wausau. She is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, too.
Lois was preceded in death by her sister, Paula Jank.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on ednesday, April 23, 2014, at St. Jakobi Lutheran Church with the Rev. Travis Kleinschmidt officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the St. Jakobi Building Fund.
Swedberg Funeral home is assisting the family with the arrangements.