Lois Gugel

Lois Brenneman Swartzendruber Gugel was born on January 24, 1930, in Johnson County, IA to Henry and Minnie Knepp Brenneman. She grew up in Joetown, IA with her 4 sisters and 4 brothers. She attended Iowa Mennonite High School and received her Bachelor of Science from Goshen College. Lois married Owen “Tiny” Swartendruber on 07/23/61 at East Union Mennonite Church. Their son Robert Scott was born on 08/23/62. Owen. passed away 08/03/78. Lois married Louis Gugel on 06/16/84 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. Louis passed away August 31, 2026 at Pleasantview Home in Kalona. 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 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 (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 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on 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.