Lois Elsie (Schmutzler) Gerschefske, 93, Linn, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at her home, surrounded by friends and family.
She was born Aug. 23, 1933, to the late Elizabeth (Dippold) Schmutzler and John Schmutzler in Jefferson City.
She was united in marriage to the late Arnold Gerschefske on June 26, 1960.
Lois attended Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, where she excelled academically. She made the Dean’s Honor List and received awards for shorthand and typing. She graduated in 1950.
After high school, Lois worked as a stenographer at the Missouri Bureau for the Blind from 1951 until 1960. That same year, she married and began working alongside her husband as bookkeeper for their family business, Freedom Products, as well as for Freedom Mutual Insurance Co. Her many years of dedication and contributions to the success of these businesses was greatly admired by colleagues and family alike.
As a lifelong Lutheran, Lois was known by those around her for her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. First and foremost, she loved the Lord with all her heart, dedicating a great deal of her life to ministry and bringing people to Christ. She served the Pilgrim Lutheran Church community in Freedom as VBS director for 40 years, sang with and directed the choir from 1980 to 2025, and was the assistant church organist before becoming the full time organist for the past 10 years.
Beyond her own church community, she used her musical gifts to sing in the Jefferson City Cantorum from 1984 to 2023. She also sang solo or with her sister trio at many weddings, funerals and other musical events through the years.
Lois was also an active member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), where she held many positions of leadership and served on multiple committees at all levels, including nationally. She attended many LWML conventions from 1957, until the last one in 2025. Lois also worked with Lutheran Braille Workers for many years.
She lived her life as a shining light for Christ wherever she went, including across the world. Lois was a seasoned world traveler and felt blessed to have so many adventures exploring the breadth of God’s beautiful creation with her beloved husband. Together, they went on a world cruise, traveled to every continent (excluding Antarctica), 59 countries, and all 50 states. Things that brought her joy closer to home included appreciating the beauty of nature (especially flowers and hummingbirds!), gardening and simply enjoying the tranquility and peace of her own yard (which she insisted on mowing herself until earlier this year).
Lois was preceded in death by husband, Arnold; parents, Elizabeth and John; brothers and sisters, Clarence Schmutzler, Adolph (Dolph) Schmutzler, Margaret Schmutzler, Anna Marie Schmutzler and Emily Schmutzler Niebruegge.
She is survived by children, Gail Roth and husband Tim of Houston, Texas and Michael Gerschefske of Linn; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Jacob Roth; and many loved nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Nov. 2, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Freedom, with Rev. Paul Landgraf officiating.
Memorial contributions suggested to Pilgrim Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Millard Family Funeral Chapels in Linn.
Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com
