Lois Idell Leffler, retired church executive, born 1930 in rural Selma, Cottonwood County, Minn., died on Aug. 6 at her home in Philadelphia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Alma (Zettler) Leffler, a sister, Evelyn, and longtime friend, Dorothy J. Marple. Though Lois had few relatives, she had dearest loving friends who became cherished family to her.

Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she taught high school English in Minnetonka, Minn.

Her Master’s degree from Syracuse University was in Guidance and Counseling for Women. She came highly recommended by the Dean of Women at the university for the type of positions she would hold during her lifetime. She also received an honorary doctorate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University, and the Distinguished Service Award from Luther College.

Her professional career was for her a calling and she manifested that throughout the various positions she held. Her job with the national level of Lutheran Church Women, the official auxiliary for women in the Lutheran Church in America, included a myriad of responsibilities. As Director of Field programs, she designed leadership materials and provided experiences to implement them. She served as the staff resource to synodical unit executive boards and to the Long-Range Planning Team of the LCW Board of Directors. At various times she served the organization as Associate Executive Secretary and Acting Executive Director. During this time, she co-authored A Design for Learning, and Prayer Fellowship Groups, and authored Bible Study Methods which was translated into six languages.

Later, as a member of the national staff of the Lutheran Church in America, she was a member of the team for Planning, Stewardship and for the Volunteer Network Registry. She served on various LCA committees and advisory groups including: Coordinating Committee on Race, Inter-Lutheran Advisory Committee to the Lutheran Library for the Blind, and Women and Men in Church and Society.

Her passion for the global community led to outstanding contributions to her leadership development of women in churches in other places in the world. Through Lutheran World Federation she related to women church leaders in various countries and conducted national level workshops for women in India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Brazil and Switzerland. She served as the LCA Representative to an International Consultation for Women, held in Sri Lanka.

In 1988 three Lutheran church bodies in the United States came together to become the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Within that entity Lois continued her commitment and service during her years of retirement. Some of her involvements were: many years on the Board of Silver Springs, a social ministry organization of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA, serving children, families and communities across the Philadelphia region; Chairperson of the SEPA Synod Global Vision Committee; and, with her great love for the people of Tanzania, Chairperson of “Friends of Mwangaza,” a partnership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the ELCA, dedicated to education, health, family and faith.

Lois lived a life in service to others. Her support of and commitment to justice issues and international people was reflected in many of her efforts, including the resettlement and support of young Sudanese refugees. She was a consummate educator and believed strongly in the right of every person to receive an education for the sake of society. Lois’s faith extended into all arenas of her life. Relationships played an important part in who she was and what she did. Her generosity made a difference to many peoples’ lives and to the accomplishment of many programs and projects. Thanks be to God for her life.