Lochner, Frank Henry

The Master Carpenter called Frank Henry Lochner to His eternal home and His everlasting care on Sept. 10, 2013. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids immediately following. Visitation will be at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Born March 7, 1943, to Frank and Margaret Lochner, Frank and his brother, Don, were raised in the loving home of his paternal grandparents, Blanch and Edward Lochner, and uncle, Lyle Lochner. Here he learned the value of hard work and enjoyed good times.

Frank graduated from Marion High School in 1962. He served a four-year carpentry apprenticeship and then earned his journeyman's certificate through the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners in 1967. In 1970, he started his own contracting business, Lochner and Sons, retiring in 2012. At one time or another, all of his sons worked with him. Most recently, Frank's specialty was remodeling and room additions, but he also built homes and was known to be an excellent finish carpenter.

In 1963, Frank married Irene Carpenter. Although they later divorced, they have five wonderful sons from that union.

Frank married Nancy Amborn in 1992 and together they enjoyed special times with their grandchildren; loved family gatherings at Christmastime; appreciated the camaraderie of loyal friends, Warren and Nancy Jennings; looked forward to boating weekends with their friends in Guttenberg; and shared great trips with family members.

Frank welcomed volunteering for the K.C.'s, liked chatting with friends at Hy-Vee, the lumberyard or wherever he found them, took great pleasure in baiting a hook, and was always immediately available to rescue family and friends when a contracting crisis arose. Anyone who knew Frank also knew he loved frogs and his collection of them knew no bounds.

Frank was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree.

Frank is survived by his caring and courageous wife, Nancy; his loving and attentive sons, Ron (Carolyn), Kerry (Pam), Shawn (Heather), Shannon and Frank III; two special daughters, Sarah Lopez (Joe) and Kathleen Paltrineri (Marc); his brother, Don (Connie); sister, Sheri Register (Ralph); brother, Larry Lochner (Linda); eight grandchildren of whom he was extremely proud, Gage, Brandon and Rachel; Jonathan and Shane; Derek and Triston; and Dylan; two sisters-in-law, Cathy Roach (Marty) and Peggy Dull (Ed); and special cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ALS Association-Iowa Chapter, 6165 NW 86th St., Suite 205, Johnston, IA 50131; Hospice of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233; Knights of Columbus 5390, 5650 Kacena Ave., Marion, IA 52302; or Muscular Dystrophy Association Inc., 383 Collins Rd. NE, No. 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Please sign the online guest book for Frank at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Sept. 11, 2013 in The Gazette