Lois Brenneman Swartzendruber Gugel was born January 24, 1930, in Johnson County, Iowa, to Henry and Minnie Knepp Brenneman. She grew up in Joetown, Iowa, with her four sisters and four brothers. She attended Iowa Mennonite High School and received her Bachelor of Science from Goshen College. Lois married Owen “Tiny” Swartendruber on July 23, 1961, at East Union Mennonite Church. Their son, Robert Scott, was born on August 23, 1962. Owen. passed away August 3, 1978. Lois married Louis Gugel on June 16, 1984 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. Louis passed away August 23, 2011.
Lois taught grade school for 38 years, retiring in 1991. Many of her students remember her fondly (“She was my favorite teacher.”) She volunteered as an archivist for the Mennonite Historical Society for 22 years. She was a member of East Union Mennonite Church where she was active on many community committees, educational committees, and volunteer jobs.
Lois loved spending time with her family, especially at the reunions. She also enjoyed spending time with her many friends and loved to entertain. She was an avid game player and enjoyed hosting “Game Night” with Scott and Beth and their friends for many years. Lois filled her time with reading, gardening, camping with “Tiny” and Scott, playing tennis and badminton, volunteering to teach Sunday School and Bible School. She also was an avid genealogist and participated in Voluntary Service. Lois passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the age of 96 years.
Lois is survived by her son: Scott (Beth) Swartzendruber; her sister-in-law: Eunice (Jim) Brenneman; step-daughter-in-law: Ruth Ann (Donnie) Gugel; stepsons: Duane (Karen) Gugel and Dave (Julie) Gugel. She has step-grandchildren: Jeremy (Lisa) Gugel, Natasha (Ryan) Miller, Shannon (Scotty) Redig, Kyle (Sara) Gugel, Aleigha Gugel, Jessica (Jeremy) Smallman, Brooke (Nathaniel) Martin, and Caleb (Nicole) Gugel. Step grandchildren include: Micah (Rebecca) Gugel, Ashlyn (Jeremiah) Strong, and Traevin Gugel; Aubrey, Cameron (Emily) and Lauren Miller; Lilly, Max, Olivia, and Elsie Redig; Tillie Smallman; William Martin, Naomi Martin; and Maryjo (Matt) Rich, and Wendi (Michael) Ulin. She has one step-great-great-grand daughter: Elianna Esther and many Brenneman and Swartzendruber nieces and nephews.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Owen “Tiny” Swartzendruber and Louis Gugel; her siblings and siblings-in-law: Ada (Waldo) Fisher, Dave (Betty) Brenneman, Dan (Rose Marie) Brenneman, Blanche Brenneman, Irene Brenneman, Virgina Anne (Richard) Ryan, Wally (1st Marlene, 2nd Millie) Brenneman, and Jim Brenneman; her stepson: Donnie Gugel and her step grandson: Shaun Gugel; and many cousins.
Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona, with Pastor Joel Beachy officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2026, at the church. A memorial fund has been established for Hillcrest Academy (IMS) or Pleasantview Home. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Kalona is caring for Lois and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
