Phillipsburg resident Lois Ann Haas passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Lois was born on August 7, 1954, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, to Milo and Norma (Stevens) Gitchel. Her parents farmed north of Phillipsburg.
Lois went to a country one-room schoolhouse, Labelle during grade school and then junior high and high school in Phillipsburg, KS. After high school Lois worked at a grocery store in Alma, NE for a year and then she began to pursue a career in nursing.
In 1975, she was united in marriage to Larry Meltzer at Englewood Wesleyan Church in northern Phillips Co. In 1976, Monica Ann was born. They were married four years, after that Lois and Monica lived in a rental of sister, Kathy and Dennis’s in Dodge City. Lois completed her schooling and became a registered nurse. In 1981, Lois and Bert Shores were united in marriage and a daughter, Eula Beth was born in 1985. In 1992, they were divorced.
Larry Haas and Lois have been together for 31 happy years. They enjoyed each other's company greatly and were happiest together. Lois retired from nursing five years ago. Since she retired she has enjoyed gardening, canning, and processing deer or beef. Lois was a very giving person and always thinking of others. She was always sharing her garden produce, eggs or meat she harvested with others who might enjoy it or were going through a hard time.
Lois is preceded in death by her parents Milo and Norma, brothers Allan and Elbert Gitchel, sister Kathy Willis and a granddaughter Elle Runnion.
Survivors include her husband Larry Haas of Phillipsburg, daughters Eula Runnion and husband Brian of Wichita, Kansas, and Monica Wagner and husband Wade of Smith Center, Kansas, five grandchildren whom she adored, Ken and Kaley Wagner and Harper, Owen and Jaxson Runnion. Other survivors include her brother Delbert Gitchel of Wilcox, Nebraska, sister Eileen Branstetter of Salina, Kansas, brother-in-law Dennis Willis of Smith Center, many nieces and nephews and her faithful dog Missy.
A funeral service for Lois will be held on Monday, April 10, 2023, 10:30 a.m., at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg, with Pastor Bud Gillett and Pastor Jay Brandon officiating.
Lois will lie in-state on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a visitation on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.
Following the funeral service, a committal service will be held at the Marvin Cemetery in Glade, Kansas.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crystal Creek Country Church.