Obituary of Lois E. Wingate

Lois E. “Laney” Wingate, age 96, a longtime resident of Iowa City died Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Bickford Cottage with two of her daughters at her side.

Laney was born in Salina, Kansas, and grew up in Lindsborg, Kansas, a small Swedish community.  She attended and graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg.  She married Roy B. Wingate September 4, 1949 and spent the next 48 years on an adventure with him which no one would ever say was dull.

Being a minister’s wife could be a full-time job at times.  Once the children were older, she began working part time at the University of Iowa as a clerical assistant in the Career Planning and Placement and the Home-economics departments.

Laney did so much more as a volunteer, at free lunch and at the Crisis Center Food Pantry.  After Roy’s death she traveled on several Elder Hostel service trips with friends from Gloria Dei.  These included going to St. Kits and Puerto Rico.  She also accompanied friends from Gloria Dei down to New Orleans after the devastating flooding down there.   Every year until her late ‘80s Laney enjoyed going out East to see son Peter and family, and attended art workshops nearby.

Laney was part of a group of Gloria Dei women who called themselves the Glory Girls.  They met regularly for companionship, fun and travel.

Laney enjoyed traveling and traveled to or though most of the United States and beyond, including Alaska, Canada, British Guiana, France, England, Denmark and Sweden, with family and friends.  Mom also walked the Alps with fellow Gloria Dei members.

Laney enjoyed watercolor painting, music, gardening, walking in the beauty of God’s world and playing with her grandchildren.

Her family includes her children Susan Faith (Gary), Kristin Wingate (Bob Porter), Ann Wingate (Erik Nielsen) and Peter Wingate (Robie Grant), 10 grandchildren, 9 step-grandchildren, and a number of great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Roy, grandson, and sister and brother-in-law.

Memorial services will be held at 1pm Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City.  There will be a time of visitation one hour prior to the services at the church.  Private burial services will take place at the Unity Cemetery, Union Township in Johnson County.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Iowa City. 

Laney was a gentle spirit who will be missed!