James Loeschke

James Loeschke, age 81, of Ortonville, MN died Friday, June 20, 2014, at Ortonville Area Health Services.

Visitation will be Monday, June 23, 2014, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery.

James Donald Loeschke was born on July 26, 1932, in rural Milbank, SD, the eldest child of Harold and Margaret (Kiern) Loeschke. He was baptized in Milbank, SD and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. Jim grew up on the family farm, attended school in Big Stone City, SD and graduated in 1950. He proudly served in the United States Army and was stationed in Europe.

On April 10, 1955, Jim was married to Darlene Fitzner at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN. They lived in Mankato and Sleepy Eye, MN where Jim was a manager for National Food Stores. They returned to Ortonville when Jim accepted a manager position at the local National Food Store.

Jim was a proud long time Ortonville resident, owning several businesses including Jim's Fairway Foods, the Block N Tackle Bait Shop, and Loeschke Tree Service. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and also in a number of community organizations including Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Prairie 5, and Let's Go Fishing.

Jim loved spending time with his family and friends. He was known for his sense of humor, especially teasing his grandchildren and playing practical jokes on his friends. He enjoyed genealogy, reading, the Minnesota Twins, playing cards, hunting, fishing, and daily crossword puzzles. Jim enjoyed trips to Germany with Darlene and fishing trips to Canada with his friends.

Jim passed away Friday, June 20, 2014, at the Ortonville Area Hospital with his wife and family at his side.

Jim Loeschke is survived by his wife of 59 years, Darlene Loeschke; children Greg (Stephanie) Loeschke of St. Louis Park, MN; Deborah (Jeffrey) Zachmann of Fergus Falls, MN; Gary (Erika) Loeschke of Viernhiem, Germany; Lori (Rodney) Gustafson of Big Stone City, SD; Jeff Loeschke of Ortonville, MN; and John (Emily) Loeschke of Isanti, MN.

He is survived by grandchildren Carl and Kaila Zachmann of Fergus Falls, MN; Brian and Steve Loeschke of Viernhiem, Germany; Sarah and Grace Loeschke of St Louis Park, MN; Nicole Gellner of Ortonville, MN; and Jimmy Loeschke of Elberton, GA.

Jim is survived by brothers Lyle (June) Loeschke of Pine City, MN; Harlan Loeschke of Milbank, SD; and sister Sandra (Jerry) Rieck of Sioux Falls, SD.

He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Margaret Loeschke of Ortonville, MN.