Lois Libbie Magnus

MIDLAND, Texas — Lois Libbie Folsom Magnus went to be with her Heavenly Father on July 15, 2010. Lois recently moved from Manhattan, Kan., to Midland in September 2008 to live in Manor Park, a retirement community near her daughter.

She was born on a farm west of Clyde, Kan., on March 13, 1927, to Jesse Ray and Mary Matilda Burch Folsom, the eldest of eight children. Her family moved to Colorado, where she grew up. She was working for Mountain States Telephone Co. when she met Bedford Magnus, a member of the United States Marine Corps, having recently served on Iwo Jima. They were married in the Brantford Covenant Church, in Clyde, Kan., on June 2, 1948.

Following Bedford’s graduation from Kansas State University, Lois and Bedford lived in several towns in Kansas as Bedford pursued his careers with KG&E and KPL. They retired to Manhattan, Kan., in 1991, and were both avid Kansas State University Wildcat fans.

In addition to being a homemaker and mother of daughters, Sandy and Jan, Lois was active in the community and worked at Trombia’s Jewelry, in El Dorado, Stanley’s Jewelry and the Credit Union in Emporia, and Campbell’s in Manhattan. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years, and supported missionaries through her church women’s organizations. Lois loved gardening and became a Master Gardener who planted in city common areas as well as beautifying the grounds of First Baptist Church in Manhattan. She was an election judge for many years and held offices in the Welcome Club of Manhattan, Kan. Lois and Bedford initiated the first reunion of the 5th Amphibious Signal Battalion (Bedford’s Marine Unit during World War II), which is still meeting annually.

She was a member of First Baptist Church and the Republican Women’s Association, both in Midland, Texas.

Lois is survived by two daughters, Sandy Cartmill and husband Jack, of Midland, and Jan Stegmann and husband Tom, of San Jose, Calif. Two grandchildren also survive her: Whitney Cartmill, of Dallas, and Jarrod Cartmill, of Norman, Okla. She is also survived by a brother, Jule Folsom, of Topeka, Kan.; and sisters, Vera Lundquist, of The Colony, Texas, and Laura Byrd, of Lawton, Okla.

Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service at Brantford Covenant Cemetery, 287 98th Road, Clyde, KS 66938, at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lois’ name to Brantford Covenant Church.

Chaput Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to www.chaputbuoy.com.