Lois Ann Dekker

Lois Ann Stuedeman Rydberg Dekker, 84, of Hot Springs Village, Ark. died on May 28, 2013 at Mt Carmel Community Assisted Living. Born April 1, 1929 to Theodore and Gladys Stuedeman in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. A graduate of Central High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, She was granted an honorary doctorate in Christian education fro Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. in 1984. Lois was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village, Ark. and an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Associate in Ministry who served the Lutheran Church in America in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as Associate Director for Leadership Support in the Division for Professional Leadership. She served as Christian Education Coordinator at First United Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Wis. for 20 years previous to her move to Philadelphia. Prior to retirement, she was employed as a Congregational Resource Service Representative for Augsburg/Fortress Publishers. Serving in many and varied volunteer offices in local, synodical and church wide organizations, which included The LCA Board of Publication, certified lay professional in LCA & associate in MN LCA; trustee of Mead Public Library and Sheboygan County Systems Library; the local Christ Lutheran Church Women, Potter's Clay Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary; she was honored with the Sheboygan Jaycettes CAROL award for outstanding mother in 1963 and was a lifetime member of the DAV Auxiliary. Survivors include daughters, Marcia (Dennis) Soerens of Cedar Grove, Wis.; Sandra (Marc) Miller of Oconomowoc, Wis.; Virginia Rydberg of New Berlin, Wis.; step-children, Ruth (Jack) Even of Lecanto, Fla.; Gary (Debra) Dekker of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; and Debbie (Pat) Leftwich of Pensacola, Fla.; five grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a step-sister, Karen (Carl) Kaufmann Rauen of Hubertus, Wis.; and half-brothers, Louis, Thomas and Vincent Stuedeman of Birmingham, Ala.; and many sister and brother,-in-law. Lois was preceded in death by her 1st husband, Russell Rydberg. On June 29, 1977 she married John Dekker. John preceded her in death on Feb. 6, 2013. She is also preceded in death by her parents, step-father, Ernst L. Kaufmann, a half-sister, one step-grandchild and three step-great-grandchildren. Memorial Services are being held at Christ Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 4th, visitation from 6-7 p.m.. with the service at 7 p.m. Memorial gifts may be given to Christ Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village, Ark.; First United Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Wis.; or Potter's Clay Auxiliary in Hot Springs, Ark. Condolences may be sent to CedarVale Funeral Home, 200 Minorca Road Hot Springs Village, Ark. 71909. Arrangements entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home. Guests may register at www.cedarvalefuneralhome.com.