Martha "Lois" Jenkins, 86, formerly of Topeka, KS passed away on January 10, 2021 at Presbyterian Manor in Wichita, KS.
Martha Lois Jenkins was born July 5, 1934 on a farm outside Reading, Kansas, the daughter of James Herbert Balding and Martha Alexandrine Louise Boisson. She graduated from Reading High School and then the University of Kansas, majoring in Music Education. She married Gerald Jenkins on August 18, 1956 at Assumption Catholic Church in Reading, Kansas. Lois taught piano lessons from her home in Topeka for 28 years while raising her sons, James and Steven. Later in life, she received her Master's Degree in Special Education from Washburn University and was a Reading Specialist for the Topeka USD 501 School District until her retirement. Lois was passionate about music, KU Basketball, and her family. She taught her grandchildren to read music and play piano before they attended kindergarten. She NEVER missed a KU Basketball game on TV, was quite opinionated about play calls, and loved singing the Rock Chalk Chant. Lois attended (and video recorded) all her grandchildren's sporting events and musical performances. She was also a talented cook known by her family for her fried chicken and roast beef meals.
Lois is preceded in death by her parents, Martha and James Balding; siblings, Anna Mochamer, and Herbert Balding; husband, Gerald Jenkins, and her son, Steven Jenkins. She is survived by her sister, Helen Lucille Schiffli of Auburn, IN; son, James Jenkins of Topeka; daughter-in-law DeAnn Jenkins of Wichita; her grandchildren Lindsey Jenkins of Kansas City and Matthew (Shayla) Jenkins of Ogden, UT; nieces and nephews.
A private memorial is to be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, KS at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to the University of Kansas School of Music Scholarship Fund.
Donating online: https://music.ku.edu/scholarships-aid (Select 'Make a Gift' on right side of page, designate School of Music Scholarships, select 'I am making this gift in honor or memory of someone' and type 'Martha Lois Jenkins')
Make a check out to: KU Endowment
Memo line: In memory of Martha Lois Jenkins
Mailing Address:
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928 Martha Lois Jenkins
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.