(Lifetime Resident Of Fulton County)
Lois M. Rufenacht, age 93 years, of Archbold passed away early Tuesday morning, March 31, 2026, at Fairlawn Haven Nursing Home in Archbold.
She was born April 26, 1932, near Wauseon, the daughter of Jim and Alma (Nofziger) Beck, and married Marlin Rufenacht on February 21, 1954.
A lifetime resident of the Wauseon, Archbold and Pettisville area, she was a dairy farmer’s wife, a homemaker and loving mother to her family.
She attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade and finished her high school education at Pettisville School, graduating Salutatorian in 1950. After graduation she attended Hesston College for Bible Classes for one term. Upon returning home she worked at Sheridan Manufacturing in Wauseon for several years.
Later in life she worked at Brookview Farms, packaging meat where she enjoyed working with others and built lasting friendships.
Soon after the birth of her first child, Marlin was called to serve two years in 1-W in Fremont, Ohio where their second child was born.
To help with expenses Lois would iron clothes for neighbors. After returning to Archbold they moved to the dairy farm where they would spend the rest of their farming career. Lois enjoyed working outside in the garden, numerous flowerbeds, mowing lawn and helping Marlin farm.
She also enjoyed volunteering at Care & Share and Sauder Village, especially in the one-room schoolhouse. Lois accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at a young age at West Clinton Mennonite Church where she was a very active member her whole life.
She was active in WMSC, was a leader of the MYF and Wayfarers, also a teacher for Sunday School and VBS for many years. Lois was quick to open their home to anyone needing temporary housing. She also enjoyed sharing her “Hat” stories with various groups.
She is survived by her four children, Craig (Mary) Rufenacht, Brad (Tina) Rufenacht, Janelle (Mark) Beck, all of Archbold, and Nedra (Curt) Nolander of Pettisville; twelve grandchildren, Jeremy (Meagan), Kelby (Kendra), Eric (Michelle), and Travis (Brittany) Beck, Evan, John (Katie), Ryan, Tanner (Natalie) Rufenacht, Jaeyln (Russ) Klaussen, Logan (Maddie) Rufenacht, Harper (John) Jehl and Caleb Nolander; fourteen great-grandchildren, Jace, Brody, Devin, Lofton, Audra, Colson, Kollins, Raegan, Jenson, Charleigh, Della and Lottie Beck, Theodore and Waylon Rufenacht; and one sister-in-law, Charlene Beck of Archbold.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers, Robert, James and William Beck; and two sisters, Pauline Stauffer and Carolyn Bateman.
Visitation will be at West Clinton Mennonite Church on Saturday, April 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a memorial service officiated by Pastor Ryan Harker at 3 p.m., followed by a meal and time of fellowship. It was Lois’ request that her body be made an anatomical gift to the University of Toledo, College of Medicine.
Memorials are suggested to West Clinton Mennonite Church or Gideon’s International. www.ShortFuneralHome.com.