Obituary

Lois Jeanette Rohm (nee Friedrichsmeyer), 82, of Lee’s Summit, MO died peacefully Friday, March 22, 2019 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her final days were spent with her daughter and granddaughters, her pastor, and staff at the facility where she resided during her final year. Lois was born September 11, 1936 in Wabash County, Illinois to Reverend Owen Henry and Esther Louise Friedrichsmeyer. She grew up as the only daughter of four children. She married her beloved Richard April 23, 1955 and together they raised two daughters. Despite a hectic schedule managing a home and family, she pursued her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education at the University of Missouri Kansas City. She typed papers and studied for classes late in the night while the rest of the family slept and yet made time to expertly sew most of her daughters’ school and holiday clothing. After graduating, she went on to teach at Raytown South High School and later Raytown Middle School fulfilling her passion for educating young people. She was respected and loved by students and staff alike, taking great pleasure in meeting former students in the community. After semi-retiring, she worked as an adjunct professor at UMKC supervising student teachers, fulfilling another desire to contribute to the education and training of future teachers. Lois had many talents, but enjoyed art immensely. She was particularly a skilled portraitist, leaving children and grandchildren a portrait of each. Even with advanced age and frailty, and while battling profound cognitive impairment, she remained always the teacher. She taught us valuable lessons, like understanding the unwavering love of a parent; doing the right thing is often not easy and at times downright hard; patience is truly a virtue; love can be expressed without a single word; the difference between God’s blessings and grace; promises are promises; and finally, that life is tenuous and therefore to be cherished. Lois and Richard were loving, supportive and involved parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Although family was always at the center of her world, she and Richard were active in their community and church. Three great sorrows in Lois’s life were the deaths of her daughter Cindy, grandson Richard, and her husband Richard, all to cancer. Lois is preceded in death also by her mother and father and brothers. Lois leaves behind her daughter; Pamela Whitman, granddaughters; Lisa Stoll and Shannon White, grandson; Ben, and great grandchildren; James, Emily, and Ryker. Our world is less without her, but fuller for having had her. We are comforted that she is with her beloved Richard, Cindy, and grandson Richard.

A private service will be held at a later date. The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.