With hearts aching we must report that:

On May 16, 2025 Lois Marie Lehman Jandernoa (86) of Grand Rapids, MI, reunited with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Lois was born on May 4,1939, in Flint, MI, to the delight of parents, George and Lauretta (Smith) Lehman. She grew up on a small family dairy farm in West Branch, where she was privileged from an early age with many of life's lessons that only hard work can teach. Life on the farm wasn't all toil. Once the chores were done she got to play with her best friends: her sisters, Joan and Carol, and her brothers, Don and Wayne. Lois would celebrate and deepen those close bonds formed with her siblings throughout her lifetime. Upon graduating valedictorian of her class from St. Joseph's High School in 1957, Lois left the family farm in West Branch for Grand Rapids. She supported herself working as a nanny and a housekeeper while attending Aquinas College. There, she met best friend, Shirley Boyd, on the first day of classes, and it was the start of a lifelong friendship. Lois loved to go dancing and have a good time with her friends. In 1961 Lois graduated from Aquinas with a BA in Business Administration, the only woman in her class to do so. Lois began her career as an office manager for Potchen Industries, but it wasn't long before a spirit of service would move her into nonprofit work at the Heart of West Michigan United Way. As Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, she served her community for 29 years. In her free time Lois volunteered with the Finance Council with the Cathedral of St. Andrew and as an Advisory Board Member of the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan.

As an aunt, she proved to be just as dedicated. She took each of her nieces and nephews on a trip across Canada and the United States as gift for their 10th birthdays.

In 1995, just as one major chapter of her life was coming to a close, Lois unexpectedly met the love of her life. In 1996, on her 57th birthday, after a whirlwind romance, she married him! Don was a tall and handsome veteran of WWII with a successful insurance career. He was charming in the most sincere way and sincere in the most charming way. To know they were in love one only had to see them look at each other. In their 20 years together they travelled to South Africa, Belgium, Holland, France, United Kingdom, Croatia, Austria, Italy, Poland, Sweden, to name a few. They also shared a deep love for their own country - they visited 50 out of 50 states together. Just as they were supposed to be transitioning to a much anticipated new life phase together at Beacon Hill, Don left this world. Lois would make the best of her time at Beacon Hill. She made many friends, kept track of their birthdays, and used her prolific greeting card talent to wish them a happy one, every year she was there. She was competitive at the Mahjong table and a regular at the Garden Cafe. She was a beloved neighbor.

The last years of Lois' life presented heartaches and challenges. Lois faced her mounting health challenges with grace, bravery, and her trademark stoicism. She succumbed to her illness while holding the hand of her granddaughter, Breanne.

While the living grieve, uncountable souls above rejoice at Lois' arrival. Among those with whom she is most eager to reunite are her husband, Donald Lewis Jandernoa; parents, George and Lauretta Lehman; brother-in-law, Ron Zakaras; sister, Sr Joan Lehman, OP;, brothers Donald Lehman and Wayne Lehman;, great-granddaughter Audrey Jandernoa; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Cherishing Lois' memory in this world until they see her again in the next are her beloved sister Carol (Ron) Zakaras;, nieces and nephews:Jonathan (Amber) Zakaras;, Matthew (Elizabeth) Zakaras;, Sara (Kyle) Hastings;, Amanda Lehman;, Cheri Lehman;, Paul Lehman;, Anne (Chris Walters) Zakaras; Alex Lehman; as well as many cherished great nieces and nephews and cousins. Missing her terribly [even as they breathe a little easier around the card table] are stepchildren Beth (Glennifer Gillespie), Mike (Sue) Jandernoa, Mark Jandernoa, Kathleen (Dave) Cramer, and Terry (Barb Nelson) Jandernoa, and her grandchildren Carl (Kelly) Jandernoa, Rob (Monica) Jandernoa, Steve (Holly) Jandernoa, Leigh Jandernoa, Thomas (Katherine) Jandernoa, Katie (Michael) LaGrou, John (Kim) Cramer, Jack (McKenzie Long) Cramer, Chase (Katie) Jandernoa, Alex (Danielle) Jandernoa, Tyler (Breanne) Jandernoa, and Chelsea (Ryan Vaughan) Jandernoa. Lois' 25(!) surviving great-grandchildren called her 'Ma J', and they will miss her, too.

Family will receive friends and visitors at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, 215 Sheldon SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, on Saturday, June 14, from 9:00-10:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, presided over by Fr. Joachim Lalley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew,

https://www.osvhub.com/cathedralofsaintandrew/giving/funds or by mail to:

215 Sheldon, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or Lois Lehman Jandernoa Scholarship Fund, Aquinas College Foundation, 1700 Fulton Street East, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.