Lois Baney

The funeral service for Lois Lorraine Baney, age 100, of Gregory, SD, was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Berean Fundamental Church in Gregory, SD, with David Swift officiating. Pianist Michaela Johnson accompanied the congregation on several hymns. Dottie Shoemaker and Janeen Hlavka were in charge of registration, and Fawn Swift and Patience Swift were flower attendants. Casket bearers were Boaz Swift, Judah Swift, Malachi Swift, Jeremiah Swift, Andrew Wiedeman, and Daniel Shoemaker. Frank Fulwider, Boyt Young, Steve Johnson, John Jacobsen, Doug Roggow, and Daren Roggow were honorary casket bearers.

Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Lois Lorraine Baney was born May 18, 1925, in Lucas, SD, to her loving parents Oral and Aletha (Stinton) Swift. Lois had many wonderful memories of her childhood, but her favorites, which she often mentioned, were the births of her brother Dwaine and her sister Ruth Ann. She also cherished her memories of church picnics and many Sunday dinners around the table with her family and anyone else who was able to come after church. She would often laugh recalling the mischief she and her cousin Wesley would get into.

Lois attended the Smith country school in the Lucas area. She then attended Lucas High School her freshman and sophomore year and finished her junior and senior years at Burke High School. Lois attended college in Springfield, SD, to get her teaching degree. Lois had a love of teaching and touched many lives through VBS, Sunday school, and country school. Lois also attended Northern Baptist Bible College in Chicago, IL, furthering her love of learning God’s word.

On May 22, 1952, Lois married her love, George Baney, in Washington, DC, where George was stationed. There they had many wonderful memories that would bring a smile to her face. In 1953, Lois and George moved back to the Gregory area, where they worked for many different people, making memories and lifelong friends along the way.

Lois and George were blessed with three daughters—Lorraine, Lori, and Lisa—but their family was not yet complete. Lois and George became foster parents and were able to provide love and care to many children, even if just for a night. It was hard seeing the little ones come and go, but they were blessed to be able to adopt Michelle, Ira, Kaci, and Margo, making their family complete.

In later years, Lois was blessed to become a grandma then a great grandma. Each one has such special memories from playing dominoes, making cookies, long visits, and reading story books. All would agree Sunday dinners around Grandma’s table where there was always room for one more is one memory they will always hold onto.

Lois had a love for people and was a church greeter for many years, welcoming people in with a smile and a hug and making sure no one forgot a bulletin. More than her love for her family and friends was her love for her risen Lord and Savior and sharing that with others.

Lois passed away on January 22, 2026, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center at the age of 100 years.

She is survived by her children: Lorraine (Robert) Serr of Dallas, SD, Lori (Bob) Mattingly of Dexter, KS, Lisa (Frank) Scott of Wingdale, NY, Michelle Wiedeman of Gregory, SD, Ira Baney of Sioux Falls, SD, Kaci (Corbin) Burwell of Sioux Falls, SD, and Margo Baney of Pierre, SD; granddaughter Caitlin (Kevin) Moody and children Aletha, Peter, and Alaina of Dallas SD; grandsons Cory Scott, Clayton Kerner, and Andrew Wiedeman; brother-in-law Leroy Anderson of Brookings, SD; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by husband George Baney, parents Oral and Aletha Swift, brother Dwaine and wife Avis Swift, sister Ruth Ann (Swift) Anderson, and granddaughter Andrea Serr.