LOIS RUNDQUIST
Strengthened by her faith in God and the love of her family, Lois Rundquist passed away peacefully on August 6th, 2025.
Lois was born June 19, 1933 in Eskridge, Kansas, and was lovingly adopted by George and Myrtle Magnuson of Smolan, Kansas. At the end of her third-grade year, with only a two-week notice, her family’s farm was seized by the US Government to create Camp Phillips. After a brief stay with family, Lois, her parents, and their farm animals resettled in what would be Lois’s childhood home north of Assaria.
Although an only child, Lois enjoyed the company of her many cousins, especially her only girl cousin, Donna, who became a dear friend and later her college roommate.
From an early age, Lois loved music. As a high school senior, she earned top honors at the state music festival for solos in piano, clarinet, and voice – a triple threat! Music remained a lifelong passion: she gave piano and instrument lessons, sang in the Messiah chorus, accompanied soloists and the Assaria Men’s Quartet, and directed the Assaria Lutheran Church choirs for over 30 years.
Lois said that the best decision she ever made was to marry her high school sweetheart, Rick. They shared 63 wonderful years, most of them spent working side by side on the farm. Lois drove the wheat truck, disked the fields, cooked for the crew, and delivered eggs to the Coffee Cup Cafe. Rick shared her love of music; he sang with her at weddings and funerals and joined in when she led the “Rundquist Family Band” in spirited Sousa Marches. Most evenings found them holding hands as they watched TV or enjoyed the sunset from the porch. Rick preceded her in death in May 2017.
Lois treasured family time. She grew to be very close to Rick’s family; they had spontaneous picnics at Coronado Heights, complete with surprise firecrackers. As a former teacher, she had a special relationship with kids; her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren always enjoyed her loving attention. She was a caretaker for her parents and many elderly aunts and uncles. Every year, she would take her family to visit relatives’ gravesites, keeping their stories alive.
Lois is survived by her family: daughters-LaNell (Brad) Keeler, Beth (Galen Uhrich), Carol (Paul) Bass, and son-Dennis (Lori), grandchildren Becky (Ed), Marci, Bret (Angela), Rose, Christian, Erika (Lane), Hayden (LP), Brandon, Katelyn (Justin), Tylar, Hannah and several great grandchildren.
The staff at Bethany Home loved and cared for Lois for 10 years. Everyone who knew Lois will remember her as a positive, kind, gentle, and appreciative soul who never met a stranger and could enjoy meaningful conversations with anyone. Lois was happiest when surrounded by flowers, music, kittens, shrimp, and most of all, her friends and family. “How do I want to be remembered? I want people to know I am a Christian and want to help others if I can.”
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 15, 2025 at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Assaria Lutheran Church with Pastor Jim Strasen officiating. Burial will follow at Assaria Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Home or to Assaria Lutheran Church. Memorials may be sent in care of Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N. Washington, Lindsborg, KS 67456.
For more information or to leave condolences online please visit www.crick-christiansfuneralhome.com/.
