Lois Ruth (Lettow) Kapfer (1937-2015)

KAPFER, LETTOW, SMEDSRUD, WAGNER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/26/2015 at 15:16:19

Obituary from Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapels, Minneapolis, Minnesota:

Obituary for Lois Ruth Lettow Kapfer

Lois Kapfer was born in Buckeye, Iowa, on March 1, 1937, and was baptized on April 18, 1937, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Buckeye, Iowa. She also was confirmed there on May 28, 1950. Lois graduated from Alden High School in 1955. She attended Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and completed a two-year teaching degree in early childhood education. She finished her Bachelor's degree in 1971 at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Lois married Richard Kapfer on June 7, 1959, at St. Paul in Buckeye, Iowa. That same year the couple moved to Springfield, Illinois, where Dick attended Concordia Theological Seminary. From there, the couple enjoyed several moves to different states - to Bloomington, Illinois, where Dick was a vicar, then to Hanover, New Hampshire (Dartmouth College), where Dick received his first call as a campus pastor. In 1966 the couple and their two children, Hilary and Thomas, moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where Dick was pastor of a new mission church for students at Eastern Michigan University. Lois spent eight happy years teaching Kindergarten at St. Paul Lutheran School in Ann Arbor, Mich., the same school her children attended.

Then in 1976 the family moved to Ames, Iowa, where Dick served as senior pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church. Lois continued her teaching career in Ames and volunteered in many capacities at Memorial, making many friends along the way. In 1985 Dick became president of Iowa District West, LCMS. Lois served alongside him in many capacities, traveling to Ghana and the Philippines for mission trips and participating in events at churches throughout Iowa. In January 2001 Dick went to be with the Lord and Lois moved back to Ames, getting involved again at Memorial by singing in the choir, teaching English as a second language for international students, and participating in numerous Bible studies and other activities. A favorite activity of Lois' was attending Iowa State women's basketball games, where she became quite a fan.

Lois is survived by her two children Hilary Smedsrud (Jeff), Tom Kapfer (Linda), sister Connie (Ken) Wagner, and grandchildren Ben, Michael. Eric and Anna Smedsrud; and Kurt and Kalie Kapfer. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lois Kapfer fund, Memorial Lutheran Church.

Funeral service 10:30am Monday Sept 7, at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2228 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA, visitation at church 1 hour prior to service. Interment Alden cemetery, Alden, Iowa.