1934
Loretta
2004
Loretta Loy
March 13, 1934 — August 16, 2004
Loretta Loy
March 13, 1934 - August 16, 2004
Loretta Jane Loy, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Daily) Kruger and sister of Mary Lucille, was born March 13, 1934 in Graceville, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Holy Rosary Catholic church in Graceville and attended school at St. Mary's Academy.
Loretta was five years old when her mother passed away, and she recalled with fondness several housekeepers who cared for her and Lucille. After a few years, she began working with her father, who was a well driller. She met Bob Loy, newly discharged from the Navy, when she was working as a waitress at Carrier's CafA�A� in Graceville. They were married may 25, 1950 and raised seven children, Mike, Vicki, Robin, Gary, Denise, Julie and Bob, on a farm in Pleasant Valley, northeast of Ortonville.
Loretta could do anything. She operated and repaired all kinds of machinery, nursed sick babies, sewed beautiful prom and wedding dresses, took care of all kinds of livestock including a vast menagerie of wild critters that the kids drug home, and made terrific fried chicken and apple pie for Sunday dinners. IN the winter months, she clerked at Peterson's Grocery in Clinton. After retiring, Loretta and Bob began golfing and traveling. They enjoyed wintering in the South and cherished many new friendships from that time. Loretta couldn't remain fully retired; she continued to work to keep herself busy. She helped out Marion Larson at the Cottage Inn CafA�A� in Big Stone City and worked many hours at the Wee Grocery on Main Street as well. The birds and squirrels in Big Stone City have been very well fed since the day Bob and Loretta moved to town. They were avid bird watchers and spent countless hours in front of the picture window identifying different species.
In May 2000, Loretta and Bob proudly celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Bob became very ill in the summer of 2000. Loretta devoted her time to caring for Bob and lost him in October of that year. In the February that followed, she was dealt a second blow, when her eldest son, Michael, passed away. In the winter of 2001, Loretta had to overcome another obstacle, as she was diagnosed with renal cancer. We were fortunate enough to have Loretta with us for four years after her diagnosis before the disease took her life. Loretta never gave up hope - she maintained her strong will and faith through her illness and fought to the end. Her family rejoices for the end of her suffering and her reunion with her beloved Bob.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Mary Kruger; her husband Bob; and son Michael.
Survivors include her sister Mary (Lucille) Vangsness; four daughters, Vicki (Kenneth) Zenk, Robin (Brent) Olson, Denise VanLith, and Julie (Gary) Rebehn; two sons, Gary (Denise) Loy, and Bob (Deb) Loy; seventeen grandchildren, Lori, Todd, Tami, Ty, Lucas, Kate, Elizabeth, Becca, Adam, Kayla, Lee, Martha, Jessica, Lydia, Josh, Justin, and Joe; twelve great grandchildren, Britt, Erika, Caitlyn, Alex, Kylie, Lexy, Madison, Michael, Sydney, Trenton, Carter, and Parker. She is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Jean Velleu (Jim Law), Kathy Mack, Sylvia (Ray) Loy, Donald (Pat) Loy, Jerry (Marilyn) Loy, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
March 13, 1934 - August 16, 2004
Loretta Jane Loy, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Daily) Kruger and sister of Mary Lucille, was born March 13, 1934 in Graceville, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Holy Rosary Catholic church in Graceville and attended school at St. Mary's Academy.
Loretta was five years old when her mother passed away, and she recalled with fondness several housekeepers who cared for her and Lucille. After a few years, she began working with her father, who was a well driller. She met Bob Loy, newly discharged from the Navy, when she was working as a waitress at Carrier's CafA�A� in Graceville. They were married may 25, 1950 and raised seven children, Mike, Vicki, Robin, Gary, Denise, Julie and Bob, on a farm in Pleasant Valley, northeast of Ortonville.
Loretta could do anything. She operated and repaired all kinds of machinery, nursed sick babies, sewed beautiful prom and wedding dresses, took care of all kinds of livestock including a vast menagerie of wild critters that the kids drug home, and made terrific fried chicken and apple pie for Sunday dinners. IN the winter months, she clerked at Peterson's Grocery in Clinton. After retiring, Loretta and Bob began golfing and traveling. They enjoyed wintering in the South and cherished many new friendships from that time. Loretta couldn't remain fully retired; she continued to work to keep herself busy. She helped out Marion Larson at the Cottage Inn CafA�A� in Big Stone City and worked many hours at the Wee Grocery on Main Street as well. The birds and squirrels in Big Stone City have been very well fed since the day Bob and Loretta moved to town. They were avid bird watchers and spent countless hours in front of the picture window identifying different species.
In May 2000, Loretta and Bob proudly celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Bob became very ill in the summer of 2000. Loretta devoted her time to caring for Bob and lost him in October of that year. In the February that followed, she was dealt a second blow, when her eldest son, Michael, passed away. In the winter of 2001, Loretta had to overcome another obstacle, as she was diagnosed with renal cancer. We were fortunate enough to have Loretta with us for four years after her diagnosis before the disease took her life. Loretta never gave up hope - she maintained her strong will and faith through her illness and fought to the end. Her family rejoices for the end of her suffering and her reunion with her beloved Bob.
Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Mary Kruger; her husband Bob; and son Michael.
Survivors include her sister Mary (Lucille) Vangsness; four daughters, Vicki (Kenneth) Zenk, Robin (Brent) Olson, Denise VanLith, and Julie (Gary) Rebehn; two sons, Gary (Denise) Loy, and Bob (Deb) Loy; seventeen grandchildren, Lori, Todd, Tami, Ty, Lucas, Kate, Elizabeth, Becca, Adam, Kayla, Lee, Martha, Jessica, Lydia, Josh, Justin, and Joe; twelve great grandchildren, Britt, Erika, Caitlyn, Alex, Kylie, Lexy, Madison, Michael, Sydney, Trenton, Carter, and Parker. She is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Jean Velleu (Jim Law), Kathy Mack, Sylvia (Ray) Loy, Donald (Pat) Loy, Jerry (Marilyn) Loy, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.