HAMPTON, Va. (Mennonite Mission Network) — Lois June (Geiger) Voran of Newton, Kansas, a dedicated champion for the Mennonite Church in Japan, died Dec. 15, 2014, at the age of 88. Funeral services were held Dec. 20, 2014, at Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton.

Voran and her husband, Peter Voran, served 30 years in Japan as missionaries with the Commission on Overseas Mission of the General Conference Mennonite Church, a predecessor agency of Mennonite Mission Network. They served from 1951-1971, 1978-1987, and 1994-1995, and were among the first small group that began COM’s work in Japan.
Voran helped establish and strengthen the Japan Mennonite Christian Church Conference in Kyushu, and engaged in many different ministries. For several years after returning to the United States, she maintained contact with Japanese church leaders and members, offering encouragement.
“Mission friends will long cherish memories of a joyful, energetic person, and a wonderful hostess – introducing many to the style of beautiful Japanese food presentation,” said Mission Network Executive Director Stanley W. Green in a letter to the family. “Lois’s earnest faith and enduring burden for the Mennonite churches in Japan have deeply affected many, both in Japan and in the United States [and Canada].”
Upon returning from service in Japan, Voran and her husband served six years at First Mennonite Church in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, and served several interim pastorates after retiring. The Vorans lived at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, Kansas, since July 1991 and attended Shalom Mennonite Church.
Voran was born June 23, 1926, near Pandora, Ohio. She graduated from Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska.
Voran is survived by her husband, Peter; children, Dave Voran of Leawood, Kansas, Debra Graber (Allen) of Newton, and Dan Voran of Big Bow, Kansas; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers, Wallace Geiger and Mahlon Geiger of Pandora, Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Betty Engle of Pineville, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be made to Mennonite Mission Network.
###
For immediate release
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.