Lois Maxine (Newell) Rethorst, daughter of Clare and Zona Newell was born December 31st, 1923, in Stafford, Kansas. She grew up on a farm south of Stafford and attended Eureka Country School with her brothers and sisters. She and her siblings walked one and a quarter mile to school daily.
She attended high school at Stafford, graduating in 1941. Following high school, she enrolled at Kansas State College where her sister was also attending. During her freshman year, her education was interrupted when her mother passed away. She dropped out of college and returned home to care for her father and three younger brothers. When her older sister graduated, she returned to the farm and Lois attended Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Hutchinson, Kansas. Upon receiving her RN, she returned to Stafford, working in the hospital and helping at home so her sister could pursue her Home Demonstration field of work. She later moved to Hutchinson, working at Grace Hospital and doctor’s clinic.
In June of 1951, she married Bob Rethorst and they moved to Spearville. After marriage, she continued working as an RN in Spearville and Ashland hospitals. Two children were born to this union, David and Susan. Lois did spend several years as a stay-at-home mom before the children started school. She later worked nearly 20 years as Dr. Hardman’s office nurse after the couple moved to Smith Center.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) Rethorst, her parents, Clare and Zona Newell, stepmother Joyce Newell, sister Beth Holl and husband Ott, brother Calvin and wife Althea, brother Dean and wife Nina, brother Wayne and wife Shirley, and nephews Bradley Dean and Marc Newell, two sisters-in-laws Maurine Gregson and Hazel Lou Herron.
She is survived by her son David (Starla) Rethorst and their children, Chad (Erica) Rethorst, Justin (Tasha) Rethorst, Ashley (Wes) Hiser, great grandchildren Payton, Brooks, Everly, Maddox, Noah, Chase and Oliver; Daughter Susan (Tom) Hardacre and children Andi (Jason) Beckman, great grandchildren Kori, Kyler and Kenzie, Troy (Michelle) Hardacre and family, Bruce (Amber) Hardacre and family and Jennifer (Scott) Staab and family.