LOIS DOROTHEA WIENHOLT

Lois Dorothea Wienholt, 90, a resident of Riverside, CA, and formerly a resident of San Bernardino, CA for 61 years, died of a stroke on July 21, 2009 at the home of daughter, Vivian Hernandez, with her family by her side. She was born March 26, 1919 on a farm near Sylvan Grove, KS, a Lutheran community and baptized into that faith the same day. She was a member of Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove and confirmed in 1933. She was a member of the Walther League youth group. She attended Gorge School, a one-room country school, for two years and Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran School in Sylvan Grove from 3rd through 8th grades. She graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in 1937. In September 1937 she entered Ellsworth Hospital School of Nursing in Ellsworth, KS for a 3-year course. Six months of that time she affiliated with Denver General Hospital in Denver, CO. She graduated in 1940 and was certified as a Registered Nurse by the Kansas State Board of Examiners. After graduation Lois worked as staff nurse, night supervisor and private duty nurse in Ellsworth. After moving to California she received her Registered Nurse Certificate. In 1941 she married Ray W. Wienholt of Ellsworth in Topeka, KS at St. John’s Lutheran Church. In June 1942 they moved to San Diego. Lois worked at Mercy Hospital as a staff nurse. After World War II in 1945 they and daughter, Miriam, moved to San Bernardino. They had two more children, Nolan and Vivian. Lois and her husband joined Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in 1946. She served as secretary for the Sunday School and belonged to Ruth Guild, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and World Friendship Circle. Lois sang in the choir, played in the handbell choir, and played piano/organ duets and piano duets with daughter, Miriam Holdaway, for church services. During retirement Lois and Ray enjoyed working together serving as trustees for many years. She sewed many banners for the sanctuary including helping to design and make Trinity’s 75th Anniversary Banner. In 1960 Lois began work at San Bernardino Community Hospital as staff and charge nurse on a medical floor for 16 years, retiring in 1976. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to every state in the US and to many foreign countries in their retirement. Lois enjoyed singing with Prime Time Choraliers, a group for seniors, for 9 1/2 years. She had a special love for music and nursing. Lois said many times that she was glad she was created to be of help to people. She always cared and concerned herself about people and their needs. She loved writing notes and letters to her many friends and family members. Her family, her church and her friends were her life. She is survived by daughters, Miriam Holdaway of San Bernardino and Vivian Hernandez of Riverside; sisters, Sylvia Czeisler of Littleton, CO and Gladys Toth of Spring Hill; FL, sons-in law, Phillip Holdaway and Manuel Hernandez; four grandchildren, Aaron Holdaway, James, Briana and Craig Hernandez; four great-grandchildren, Kai, Keale and Taito Holdaway and Nicole Davis; and one great-great-grandchild, Makayla Davis. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; son, Nolan; parents, Emanuel and Marie Stuive; brother, Walter and two infant brothers. Visitation will be on July 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino. Funeral services will be held on August 1 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2900 N. "E" St., San Bernardino. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church.

LOIS DOROTHEA WIENHOLT

March 26, 1919 - July 21, 2009