Merle Loecker

Merle H. Loecker age 81 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Arbor Care Center in Hartington.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington with Archbishop George J. Lucas, Rev. Craig Loecker, and Rev. Owen Korte officiating.  Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Hartington with military rites by the Hartington VFW Post #5283 and the Legion Riders.  Visitation will be on Monday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to services.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be Dan Loecker, Adam Loecker, Ben Loecker, Matthew Loecker, Emily Loecker, and Forde Nesteby.  Honorary pallbearers will be Merle’s other grandchildren Regan Loecker, Kendra Loecker, Camryn Loecker, Allison Loecker, Rachel Nesteby, Micah Loecker, and Lucy Loecker.

Merle Henry was born on June 14, 1941 in Menominee, Nebraska to Emil Peter and Vera Elizabeth (Albers) Loecker.  He grew up in the Menominee area with nine siblings.  Merle attended high school in Fordyce for two years before graduating from Crofton High School.  Merle enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country for three years in Germany.  He married Sandra Schrempp on August 13, 1963 in Fordyce, NE.  Merle attended State Patrol School and served as a State Patrol officer from 1964-1971.  He and Sandy lived in Valentine and South Sioux City, Nebraska during this time.  In 1971 he and Sandy moved to a farm east of Hartington.  Merle farmed and also worked for Gerry Miller Implement in Hartington from 1971-2003.  He started in the parts department and then moved to sales, selling John Deere equipment.  In 2006 Merle began helping the Wintz Funeral Home and continued to assist for many years. He also worked part-time for the Cedar County Road Department grading roads.

Merle was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and held an hour of Perpetual Adoration.  He was a 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus and a member of the Hartington VFW Post #5283 participating on the color guard.  He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan.  He loved to play cards, especially Sheephead and Pinochle, coyote hunting, farming, and selling John Deere machinery.

Merle is survived by his wife, Sandy of Hartington; five children Fr. Craig Loecker of Omaha, Keith (Michelle) Loecker of Hartington, Curt (Kristi) Loecker of Hartington, Chris (Melissa) Loecker of Omaha, Kathy (Steve) Smedra of Lincoln; son-in-law Jeremy Wampol of Yankton, SD; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; eight siblings Dennis (Vivian) Loecker of Sioux Falls, SD, Allen Loecker of Mitchell, SD, Glen (Mary) Loecker of Fordyce, Don (Denise) Loecker of Lincoln, Marvin (Deb) Loecker of Olathe, KS, David (Sheila) Loecker of Fordyce, Gladys Jones of Nebraska City, NE, Paulette (John) Dreesen of Yankton, SD; sister-in-law Judith Ruhana of Evanston, IL; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Vera; daughters Kristi Loecker and Karen Wampol; a brother Larry; brother-in-law Arnold Jones; and sister-in-law Sheila Loecker.