Darold Loecker

Darold Loecker, age 86, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Friday, November 23, 2018 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Scott Traynor officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation is from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, on Wednesday, November 28 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM. Visitation resumes one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers are Kyle Hoelting, Daryl Hoelting, Nathan Deal, David Darold Hoelting, Clair Donovan, Randy Donovan and Mark Loecker. Darold was born June 6, 1932 in Menominee, Nebraska to John and Anne (Schwartz) Loecker. He grew up in Menominee and graduated from Yankton High School. Darold then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and Minneapolis Brown Radio Institute. Darold also served in the US Naval Air Reserve. He married Geri Weiland on September 1, 1956 in Madison, Nebraska. After their marriage, they lived in Yankton where Darold worked at KYNT Radio. He started as a radio announcer, then became a sales manager and served as the station’s general manager. In the late 1970’s, Darold was appointed the director of Lewis and Clark Rural Health Education and Service Agency and served in this capacity until his retirement in the late 90’s. Darold had many blessings and joys in his life. He considered it an honor to be an active member of the Catholic Church. He believed it was important to give honor and glory to God in gratitude and also to be an example to his children—showing them the importance of charity and service to others. He was a past member of Sacred Heart and a current member of St. Benedict’s where he served on the building committee, the parish council as president, worked on the capital campaigns and the foundation. Serving as a lector at Mass was very important to him as was his involvement with the Knights of Columbus for his entire adult life. The organization provided him the opportunity to lead and serve others as being their Grand Knight, District Deputy and State Deputy. In the past, he was involved in the Yankton Chamber of Commerce, the Yankton Little League program and the Senior Center. He took great pleasure in interacting with his friends, playing cards, and discussing world problems over coffee. He often reminded them of current and future charitable needs in their community and upcoming fund raising opportunities for them. If he sensed the slightest hesitation in his requests for funds, he had a way re-packaging the request and “no” wasn’t an option. Darold also enjoyed traveling, fishing, hunting and golfing with his family and friends. Darold is survived by his wife, Geri Loecker of Yankton; three children: Kim (Daryl) Hoelting of Salina, KS, June (Stan) Deal of Fort Myers, FL and Mike (Tami) Loecker of Lawrence, KS; seven grandchildren: Kyle, Tracy, and David Darold Hoelting, Nathan Deal, Abby (Joe) Krebbs, Chad and Ryan Loecker; one great granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth Krebbs; and a sister, Mae Donovan of Chamberlain, SD. Darold was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anne Loecker; grandson, Andrew Deal in infancy; and one brother, Leon Loecker. The family would prefer memorials to St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton Catholic Community Foundation or to a church of your choice. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.