(From Derfelt Funeral Home)Lois G. (Anderson) Ward, age 89, died at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN on April 8, 2026. She was born August 1, 1936 in Galena, KS. She lived in Galena her whole life on property that was homesteaded by her great-grandparents and passed down through the generations.
She graduated from Galena High School with the Class of 1954. She married Terrill L. Ward on July 17, 1954 in Miami, OK.
She was the first woman to serve on the Galena City Council. She was a Girl Scout leader, as well as a Cub Scout den mother - a job she took on to "even out the odds" among all her daughters by having a den meeting once a week in her home. She retired from Galena USD 499 after being a lunchroom cook for over 20 years where all the kids called her "Mamaw".
She is survived by one son, Kelvin Ward (wife, Cindy) of Galena; four daughters, Brenda (Ward) Mallatt of Joplin, Lois Kay (Ward) Spillman (husband, Steve) of Andover, KS, Gaylene (Ward) Baker (husband, Hutch) of Galena, and Dr. Starla (Ward) Meigs (husband, Terence) of Cookeville, TN; seventeen grandchildren, twenty three great-grandchildren with five on the way; one sister-in-law, Donna Anderson of Galena; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Irene (Bogle) Anderson; her husband, Terrill Ward; two daughters, Dianna Green and Lynda Thompson; one granddaughter, Megan Mallatt; and one brother, Larry Anderson.
She is survived by one son, Kelvin Ward (wife, Cindy) of Galena; four daughters, Brenda (Ward) Mallatt of Joplin, Lois Kay (Ward) Spillman (husband, Steve) of Andover, KS, Gaylene (Ward) Baker (husband, Hutch) of Galena, and Dr. Starla (Ward) Meigs (husband, Terence) of Cookeville, TN; seventeen grandchildren, twenty three great-grandchildren with five on the way; one sister-in-law, Donna Anderson of Galena; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Irene (Bogle) Anderson; her husband, Terrill Ward; two daughters, Dianna Green and Lynda Thompson; one granddaughter, Megan Mallatt; and one brother, Larry Anderson.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Oak Hill Cemetery of Galena. Her cousin Dale Starchman will officiate.
Visitation hours will take place from 4-6:00 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Derfelt Funeral Home of Galena.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lynda Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Dianna Green Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
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