Lois Mary (Bentz) Desch

Lois went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2022. At 93 years old, she was still sharp, funny and interested in all aspects of life, especially her friends and family. Lois spent the holiday season laughing, sharing stories, playing games and enjoying her family.

On New Year’s Eve, it felt sudden and unexpected by everyone to lose her. But Lois was ready and prepared for the day she would be joined with her husband of 69 years, Ed, who she described as her “One and Only Love.” Together in Christ, they are being welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus. The world had been blessed with her humor, compassion, beauty, love and friendship. Lois was waiting for God to call her home and to be reunited with Ed and all those that have gone before her. We were blessed to have had her with us for so long and she will live forever in our hearts until we see her again.

Lois was born at home in Pottsville, PA to John and Florence Bentz. She grew up in Pottsville and attended Sacred Heart Nursing School in Allentown, PA. As a student nurse, Lois met Ed in 1950 when he was hospitalized for appendicitis. They married in 1952 and spent their lives together until Ed passed away in 2021 (married 69 years).

Both Ed and Lois became very active in church over the years, and Lois was invited to speak at over 300 Christian Woman’s Club events across the country. Incorporating the sense of humor that she was known for, Lois shared her faith, life experiences and personal relationship with the Lord with hundreds of women. Ed also spoke frequently in churches, filling in for pastors and teaching adult Sunday school classes in the Evangelical Free Church. Lois worked as a registered nurse in various capacities and Ed as an engineer. They moved from Pennsylvania to Nebraska to Arizona, having four children, Kathie, Ed Jr., Lisa and John along the way.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents John Daniel Bentz and Florence C. Hahner; husband Edward Francis Desch, and sister Joanne Hepler.

She is survived by her siblings: John Bentz Jr. of Collingswood, NJ and Robert Bentz of Pottsville, PA; her children: Kathleen Anne Langford (Frank), Edward (Ed) Francis Desch Jr. (Joanne), Allisa (Lisa) Lorraine Brauer (Dave) and John Christopher Desch (Sherri); grandchildren (11): Christina Tall, Sierra Smith, Tyler Langford (Kathie & Frank’s children); Jacob Desch and Joseph Desch (Ed & Joanne’s children), Cole Brauer and Jude Brauer (Lisa & Dave’s children), Matthew Desch, Andrew Desch, Isaac Desch and Ryleigh Desch (John & Sherri’s children); great grandchildren (6): Sydney Tall (Christina & Derek Tall’s child), Daniel Desch and Lincoln Desch (Jacob & Heather Desch’s children), Adley Langford and Theodore Langford (Tyler & Kimberly Langford’s children), Micah Desch (Matthew & Jessica Desch’s children), and one expected soon (Joseph & Sarah Desch).

A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Sunland Mortuary in Sun City, AZ. Lois and Ed will be laid to rest together at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.