Lois J. Hedge, age 93, of 540 Falcon Crest Drive, Spearfish, SD, passed away peacefully in her home at Edgewood Vista on June 10, 2024.  She recently moved from Oshkosh, Wisconsin to be near family and friends in the Northern Hills, and their long-time summer cabin in Spearfish Canyon where many have gathered over the years.  Lois was born on February 28, 1931 in Thedford, Nebraska the daughter of Francis and Lillie Snyder.  She married Paul Hedge on July 31, 1951.  It was a double wedding - her sister Myra and Lois each were married to their spouses in the same ceremony by their father, Rev. Francis C. Snyder, who was a Congregational pastor for many years in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa.

Lois met her husband, Paul, while attending Doane College from 1949-1951 in Crete, Nebraska.  Following their marriage in 1951, they began life together in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, with Paul as a band director in public schools and Lois as a librarian.  They had two children, Cathy and Randy.  Lois later completed a B.S. in English and Library Science from Black Hills State University.  She worked as a librarian in many capacities, including children's librarian in Scottsbluff, and the county bookmobile in Greeley, Colorado.  She worked for 10 years as elementary librarian for the Lead, SD public schools, where Paul also served as the high school band director from 1963-1973.  In retirement, Lois served for many years as the volunteer director of the library at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Paul and Lois had a great passion for music and education.  Their long-time dream was to establish a summer music camp featuring instruction for middle and high school choir and band students in the Black Hills.  In 1970 the 2-week camp was established near Mt. Rushmore with students attending from Lead, Sturgis, Rapid City, Spearfish, and a few other towns.  Rushmore Music Camp grew quickly, and over the years served students primarily from the Upper Midwest.  But, it also attracted students and teaching staff from throughout the nation.  The camp continues today with the leadership of a strong board of directors and camp staff.  Paul and Lois impacted many through music camp, "making music and making friends." as the slogan goes for Rushmore Music Camp.  They received many awards for their work, including the South Dakota Music Educator Distinguished Service to Music award; and a South Dakota Legislature House Commemoration on the Camp's 50th anniversary in August of 2021.

Paul and Lois owned and operated a music store in Powell, Wyoming from 1975-1996, while being actively involved directing the camp each summer.  Their music store was full-service and served much of Wyoming and beyond.  Their son-in-law, Dan Frederick worked with them in the business.  Paul and Lois' daughter, Cathy, helped Dan establish a second store in Worland, Wyoming as the business grew, and they eventually purchased both Hedge Music stores from Paul and Lois.

Lois was an active reader and organized many book clubs over the years.  She loved to share the best books of the year with many who frequented her libraries and was meticulous in organizing and running good libraries.  She was always an active member in the churches she belonged to and had a passion for the arts. She and Paul regularly attended, supported and promoted many concerts and cultural events in the schools, churches, and communities where they lived.

Above all, Lois loved her family, loved music, and loved to read.  She especially loved to be at their family cabin in Spearfish Canyon, hosting many families and friends there.  Lois made sure there was coffee on the deck daily (morning and afternoon) and a fire going in the fireplace when friends and family were visiting Hedge's Haven!

Lois is survived by her son, Randy (Holly) of Spearfish Canyon, brother, Paul (Billie Jo) of Seagoville, Texas, and five grandchildren, Stephanie (Charlie) Moore of Sioux Falls, Carly (Robert) Winterstein of Spearfish, Joshua (Alana) Hedge of Chicago, IL, Tyler Frederick of Worland, WY, Heidi (Chris) Donofrio of Long Island, NY.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Paul Hedge, Oshkosh, WI, daughter, Catherine Jean (Dan) Frederick of Worland, WY, her parents Francis and Lillie Snyder of Fairbury, NE, and siblings Myra (Colvin) Ross, Sarasota, FL, and Annabelle Snyder, Plainview, NE.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Spearfish, SD.  Visitation will be at 1:30, prior to the service.  Rev. Chuck Aurand, Hospice Chaplain and UCC pastor for Belle Fourche and St. Onge churches will be officiating.  Coffee/fellowship will be held following the service in the church.  Later this fall, a family graveside committal service will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

A memorial fund has been established at the Spearfish United Church of Christ and at the Rushmore Music Camp Foundation.  Gifts may be sent to either charity:

●        Spearfish United Church of Christ Congregational, Piano Fund, 920 Main St, Spearfish, SD  57783

●        Rushmore Music Camp Foundation, c/o Deb Yess, 14370 Woodville Court, Waseca, MN  56093

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com