Lois Marie (Hogrefe) Rather

Lois Marie (Hogrefe) Rather, age 91, passed away on September 5, 2026 at Shorehaven in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Lois was born May 13, 1935, at the family farmhouse east of Parkston, South Dakota. She attended country school and graduated from Parkston High School in 1953. She continued her education at Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska graduating in 1957 with a degree in elementary education. Concordia is where she met Loris Rather and her great love story began.

After graduation, Lois married Loris Rather. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, friendship, and service. Over the years, Lois and Loris made their home in Chicago, Illinois; Worms, Nebraska; Summit, Illinois; Portage, Wisconsin; Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; and Waukesha, Wisconsin. Wherever life took them, Lois became an active part of her community and congregation, sharing her gifts of teaching, music, friendship, and faith.

They were blessed with four children: Kevin (Chris) Rather, Kathleen (Richard) Rose, Cynthia (Steve) Lehman and Joleen (Dan) Paige.

Lois was an active member of her congregations throughout her life. She taught elementary school, led women's groups, taught generations of organists, and gave countless piano lessons. Music and teaching were gifts she generously shared with others throughout her life.

Lois also loved sewing. Over the years, she lovingly made clothing for her daughters and granddaughters and created beautiful wedding gowns. Her sewing became a lasting expression of her creativity and love for her family.

In retirement, Lois and Loris loved to travel and enjoyed seeing new places together. Some of their most treasured adventures were the many camping trips they took with their grandchildren, creating wonderful memories that their families would cherish for years to come.

Lois was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her family was one of the greatest joys of her life.

She was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Kimberly, William, Samantha, Andrew, Justin, Katerina, David, Frederick, Regina, Jack, Mackenzie, and Lilly and she adored her 21 great- grandchildren.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Margaretha Hogrefe; her parents-in-law, Walter and Alma Rather; her husband. Loris Rather; her daughter-in-law Chris Rather; her son-in-law Richard Rose; her sister Mildred and Mildred’s husband, Paul Hartman; and her brothers, Lawrence Hogrefe and his wife Cleva, and Raymond Hogrefe and his wife Esther.

The lessons she taught, the music she shared, the things she lovingly created, and most importantly, the love she gave to her family and friends will remain part of her legacy for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church or Shorehaven Senior Living in Lois’ name are welcome.

A visitation to celebrate Lois’ life will take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066) from 9:30am-10:30am with a service to follow. Lois will be laid to rest at Comstock Cemetery in Pardeeville, WI next to her husband Loris.