Lois Elizabeth Rufener

Lois Elizabeth Rufener, 95, a life resident of Dover, died Monday, May 30, 2011, in Union Hospital, following a brief illness.

Born February 24, 1916, she was a daughter of the late John and Arta Mae Davis Ricksecker. Lois attended grade school on Lake Road and went on to Dover High School, where she played the trombone under the direction of L.H. Alexander and was a member of the 1933 state championship band. She graduated in 1934. While a young lady, Lois enjoyed roller-skating at Columbia with her future husband, C. Elwood "Elly" Rufener. The couple were married on May 27, 1937, and set up housekeeping on the Ricksecker family farm, where she and Elly reared two sons. Lois was a loving homemaker and made the best of the hard work that came with farm life. She liked cooking and baking, and putting up her own pickles, jams and homemade ketchup. Making candy at Christmas was also a favorite activity.

In later years, Lois and Elly enjoyed long rides in Elly's antique automobiles, of which he owned several. Lois enjoyed watching The Lawrence Welk Show and listening to
big band music, but especially enjoyed following Cleveland Indians baseball nearly always listening to their games on the radio rather than television. And of course, she doted on her grandchildren, and her great and great-great-grandchildren when they came along.

She was a former member of the First Moravian Church at Dover, and was presently a member of Dover's St. John's United Church of Christ. Always busy, Lois belonged to the Penobscott Homemakers, and "Hobby Club," a group of ladies who met to inspire each other and create all manner of crafts. Lois nearly always gave her creations away to family and friends, and they are now cherished keepsakes. Together and independently, the Hobby Club also made many, many lap-robes which were given residents of local nursing homes. Moreover, Lois volunteered doing mending for Massillon State Hospital.

Lois, by the grace of God and with the help of her son, Edward, was able to stay in her home until the very end of her life something she was truly grateful for.

Survivors include her son, Edward (Susan) Rufener of Strasburg; six grandchildren, Bradley D. (Coreena) Rufener of Ragersville, Kathy Jo Rufener of Akron, Edward C. (Vicki) Rufener of Dover, Robert R. (Amy) Rufener and Beth E. (Chokri) Jouini, both of Strasburg, and Matthew (Jen) Swihart of Medina; thirteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren (and a fourth expected in November); daughter-in-law, Nancy Rufener of Uhrichsville; many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Elly, on December 2, 1978; her son, Dale A. Rufener; her grandson, Ronald A. Rufener; her sisters, Margaret Zollar and Marian Hill; and by her brothers, John and Albert "Pete" Ricksecker.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, with Revs. Michael W. Lowery and John B. Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday, June 3, 5 8 p.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Lois, please visit the Toland-Herzig website and click on Obituaries.

The family suggests that contributions in Lois' memory be made to Community Hospice, 201 W. Third St., Dover, OH 44622.

TOLAND-HERZIG
Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com