LOIS MAE RIGGINS
Lois Mae Riggins, one of three children of John and Anna (Fahrenholz) Rippe, was born February 17, 1934, on a farm west of Brock, Nebraska. Lois was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Talmage. She attended Charter Oak School through the 8th grade and graduated from Brock High School as the class valedictorian.
On December 8, 1951, Lois was united in marriage to Howard Riggins at Faith Lutheran Church in Talmage. The couple would be blessed with six children: Charles, Michael, Larry, Donald, Kathleen, and Jerry.
Lois was employed as a press operator at North Cleaners in Auburn. Lois had transferred her church membership to Zion Lutheran Church near Johnson and was active in church activities. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and gardening, raising both vegetables and flowers. Lois was also an excellent cook, making the best cinnamon rolls, fried chicken, and pickles.
After Howard’s passing, Lois continued living in Johnson. She then moved to York, Nebraska to an assisted living facility. It was in York that Lois passed away on March 1, 2024, just 13 days after her 90th birthday. Besides Howard, Lois was preceded in 1934 - 2024
death by her parents, son Jerry, and sister Donna Riggins.
Those left to mourn her passing include her sons and daughters-in-law Charles and Marilyn of Arcadia, Michael and Karen of Holdrege, Larry and Jenny of Topeka, KS, Donald and Julie of Johnson; daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Mark Ortmeier of Utica; grandchildren Aric, Nathan, Melanie, Dustin, Alison, Chelsey, Ashley, Nicole, Daniel, Michael, Shelby, Derek, Heather, Shelby, McKenna, Christopher, Thomas, Nichole, Michelle, Jordan; 26 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law Marvin and June Rippe of Shallotte, NC; other relatives and friends.
Rev. Paul Lillenas officiated the funeral service Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church near Johnson. Susie Hogrefe was accompanist for a duet by Bruce and Kathy Sohnholz. Casket bearers were Aric Riggins, Nathan Riggins, Dustin Riggins, Christopher Riggins, Thomas Riggins, and Jordan Ortmeier. Josh Riggins, Shannon Riggins, Taylor Riggins, Derek Haynes, Darian Haynes, and Wayne Rawson served as honorary bearers. Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery near Talmage.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.