Prayer service held in Gunder for Bernard Loftsgard
Prayer service held in Gunder for Bernard Loftsgard
Bernard Gene Loftsgard, 84, of Clermont, Iowa passed away Monday, August 12, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa surrounded by his family. He was born June 7, 1929, in Marion Township, Clayton County, Iowa to Gilbert and Bessie (Larson) Loftsgard. He was baptized on August 4, 1929 and confirmed on June 27, 1943 by Rev. S.J. Strandjord at the Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa where he was a lifetime member. He attended Marion Township Country School and Elgin High School. He was raised in Gunder and lived in the area his entire life.
He married Catherine Ann Boland of Elkader on March 31, 1951, and just celebrated their 62nd anniversary in March of this year with their entire family. They were blessed with four children, Jerry, Larry, Marilyn, and Bernard Wayne. He started trucking and farming with his Pa and carried on the family tradition with his own sons for over fifty years. His grandchildren have fond memories of riding with him in the truck. He enjoyed his coffee every morning, visiting with friends in the surrounding communities.
Bernard is survived by his wife, Catherine; two children, Jerry (Bev) Loftsgard and Marilyn (Milt) Schutte; a daughter-in-law, Paula Loftsgard. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Jarrod (Deb) Loftsgard, Chantel (Troy) Johnson, Ryan (Rachel) Schutte, Josh (Stephanie) Loftsgard, Wade Schutte, and Rhett Loftsgard; eight great-grandchildren, Logan, Peyton and Madison Loftsgard, Kelby and Kaleb Johnson, Reagan and Riley Schutte and Clayton Loftsgard; two siblings, Ronnie (Judy) Loftsgard and Karol Helgerson; sister-in-law, Helen Elias and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Bessie; sons, Larry and Bernard Wayne; his brother, Charlie; his father and mother-in-law; five brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law.
The Family would like to thank Dr. Tom McMullen & Dr. Gloria Blanco and the wonderful and caring staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Per Bernard’s wishes he was an organ donor.
Visitation was on Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 2-5 pm at Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder, Iowa with a Prayer Service at 2:00 pm with Rev. Marshall Hahn officiating.
Condolences may be left with www.graufuneralhomes.com
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service helped the family with the arrangements.