Lois Aydelott Eskilson, 89, passed away Monday, July 30, 2018, in Lawrence where she had lived for 19 years.
Lois was born April 7, 1929 in Erie, Pa. to John C.and Helen Aydelott. She attended Lawrence Park High School in Erie and graduated in 1947. She went on to DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. where she earned a BA in Mathematics in 1951. She was a member of Alpha Omega Pi sorority. Lois married Jack E. Eskilson in January 1954 and they were married for 52 years until he passed away in 2006. They started their family in Cleveland, Ohio before moving to St. Louis, Mo, Overland Park and Wichita, Ks. They retired in Lawrence in 1999.
Lois dedicated her life to raising her children Eric, Kurt and Karen Eskilson. Lois realized the importance of quality daycare for working families and in 1973 started a preschool and daycare center at Overland Park Lutheran Church. She also worked for Rainbows United in Wichita for many years. Lois and Jack were dedicated members of the church in each of the towns where they lived and were members of the choir. Throughout her life Lois generously supported efforts with her time and resources to provide food to those in need. Her dedication to the First Baptist Food Pantry served many over the years. She loved cross-stitch, knitting sweaters and had a lifelong love of music.
Lois was an ardent Jayhawks fan and loved to watch & listen to Hawks basketball.
She is survived by her sister, Ruth A. Risch (Tom) of Pittsburgh, Pa., and brother John C. Aydelott (JoAnn), Cleveland; three children, Eric Eskilson (Edith), Lawrence Kansas; Kurt Eskilson, (Melissa), Topeka KS; and Karen Eskilson (LeAnne) Overland Park Ks; 10 grandchildren: Suzanne Galvin (Chris), Ethan Eskilson, Brooke Patterson (Wade), Anna Caldwell, Blake Eskilson, Emma Eskilson, Alek Eskilson, Sara Stowe Eskilson, Evan Eskilson, and Sam Stowe Eskilson; and four great grandchildren: Lily & Harrison Galvin and Raina & Freya Patterson.
A memorial service will be 1:30 Friday, Aug. 3, at First Baptist Church with graveside services at 2 p.m. Saturday at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Wichita.
Flowers may be sent to Rumsey Yost Funeral Home or memorial contributions made to the employee scholarship fund at Presbyterian Manor where Lois resided for many years, sent in care of the funeral home.
