Lois Marie Loecke

Lois Marie Loecke

Manchester

Lois Marie Loecke, 81, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on August 16, 1942, in Monticello, the daughter of Louis and Florence (Murray) Smith. Lois was raised and educated in Worthington and was a graduate of St. Paul Catholic High School. She attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City. Lois earned her Associate’s Degree at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta.

On November 27, 1964, Lois was married to Walter Loecke in Worthington. They had nine children and the family lived and farmed in rural Greeley. The couple later divorced. Lois moved to Manchester in 1991 and worked for the West Delaware School District for many years.

Lois was a longtime member of St. Joseph and St. Mary Catholic Churches and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She played piano and was an avid reader. Lois especially enjoyed history and had a passion for learning. She was a hospice volunteer and received the honor of Iowa Hospice Volunteer of the Year. Lois enjoyed visiting with her friends and family. Above all else, Lois loved her family and spending time with them.

We could say so many more things about our beautiful mother, but she would not want us to do that. She was the most selfless person we ever knew, and no one had a better mother than we did.

Survivors include her seven children, Linda (Jim) Mayo of White River Junction, Vermont, Cindy (Daryl) Parker of Bellevue, Pete (Nicole) Loecke of Rose Hill, Kansas, Mike (Megan) Loecke of Manchester, Tim (Joanna) Loecke of Manchester, Peggy (Tim) Harbaugh of Peosta, and Mandy (Jason) Munzer of Golden, Colorado; 21 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a brother, Lloyd Smith of New Vienna; one sister, Marilyn Rubner of Arlington; an aunt, Carlyn Hunt of Edgewood; and many nieces and nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; two children, Andy Loecke and Sally Loecke; sister and brother-in-law, Kaye and Jerry Hahn; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Smith; brother-in-law, Robert Rubner; two nephews, Phil and Randy Rubner; a niece, Michelle Hahn; and several members of the Loecke family.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Greeley or Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa, with Rev. Gabriel Anderson officiating.

Visitation: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa, with a 2:00 p.m. Scripture Service. Friends may also call from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. before the Mass at the church on Thursday.

Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Greeley, Iowa.