Clemens, Lois Gunden (1915-2005)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2005 Oct 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1915 Feb 25

text of obituary:

LOIS GUNDEN CLEMENS

Lois Gunden Clemens, 90, of Towamencin, Pa., died Aug. 27, 2005. She was born Feb. 25, 1915, to Christian and Agnes (Albrecht) Gunden in Flanagan, Ill.

In 1958 she married Ernest Rittenhouse Clemens. They resided in Lansdale until moving in 1991. He preceded her in death in 1997.

She graduated from Goshen (Ind.) College in 1936 and received her master's degree from Peabody College in 1939 and her doctorate from Indiana University in 1958.

She taught at Goshen College from 1939 to 1958, Temple University from 1965 to 1975, and at North Penn High School in Lansdale.

She traveled to southern France in 1941 for Mennonite Central Committee to administer a refugee children's home and was interned in 1943 in Germany before being repatriated in 1944.

She served as the first president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women and was active in the American Bible Society, where she served on its advisory council.

She was a leader in youth and women's activities as a Sunday school teacher and elder. She served Franconia Mennonite Conference in a number of positions, including as chair of the International Friendship Committee, and opened her home for English lessons.

She served on the Mennonite Church General Committee, Mennonite Board of Education and the board of overseers for Goshen College. She was editor of The Voice, the national publication of the Women's Missionary and Service Auxiliary of Mennonite Board of Missions and authored the book Women Liberated.

Survivors include a stepdaughter, Pauline Fisher and her husband, John, of Goshen; two brothers, Elton Gunden of Naples, Fla., and Donald Gunden of Myerstown, Pa.; two sisters, Doris Metzler and Ruth E., both of Goshen; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest; a sister, Elva Huneryager; and three brothers, Orville, Ralph and Cleland Gunden.

Funeral services were held at Dock Woods Community Chapel of Lansdale. Burial was in Plains Mennonite Cemetery.