Lois Jean Perkins was born January 17, 1937 in Hillsboro, Kansas, the third child of Frieda (Funk) and Milt L Hiebert. She grew up in central Kansas and graduated in 1954 from Marion High School. Lois was a Registered Nurse, earning her degree from Wesley School of Nursing in 1957. She married Lynn L. Perkins of Howard, Kansas in 1957 and they resided for most of their married life on the family ranch in Elk County.
Lois died on March 2, 2016, at Neuvant House in Lawrence and joins her parents and brother Daryle Hiebert. She is survived by her husband Lynn; siblings Isla Richards (Lawrence) and Gail Hiebert (Judy) of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma; daughters Kathy Perkins (Stan Davis), of Lawrence; Janis Perkins (Richard Hardin) of Iowa City, Iowa; and Sandy Perkins (Randy Leonard) of Lawrence; grandchildren Jennifer Brooks, Dylan Brooks, Claire Hardin (Stan Waisath), Anna Hardin, Laura Leonard (Althea Schnacke), Mat Leonard (Erika Sjule); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She worked for a number of years as a nurse for Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka. Lois was an artist who loved antiques, refinishing furniture, and gardening. She created an indoor and outdoor environment brimming with warmth, and was the heart of a home that provided an anchor to her family and loved ones. Lois would still be planting flowers if not for her diagnosis with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Her last years provided the greatest challenge of her life, as Lois set an example for her loved ones with her courage and dignity.
Memorials may be made in her name to the Elk County Community Foundation and will be used to support projects important to her: the local swimming pool and 4-H.
