Leora Lucille Loftus

Leora Lucille Loftus, 91, of Eyota was called to her heavenly home on Monday February 18, 2013 with her family by her side. She was a resident of Samaritan Bethany in Rochester at the time of her death. Leora was born August 22, 1921 in Oak Ridge Township of Winona County to Leo and Lucy (Weiser) Mueller. In 1939 she graduated from St. Charles High School. Following High School she worked in the dietary department at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Leora met Bernard Loftus in 1940 when they both worked at the Gregory Kramer farm near Elba. Leora and Bernard were married September 16, 1941 in Elba. They farmed near Elgin and Elba for a short time before moving to Fremont area where they farmed for 14 years. In 1957 the couple moved their family to Quincy Township of Olmsted County and farmed for many years. Leora was active in the farm until she moved to Arbor Gardens in Eyota in 2009. . While living in Fremont Leora an active member of St Rose of Lima Church, the Fremont Sunshine Club, and served as a 4-H Leader. After moving to Quincy township Leora was a very busy homemaker and farm wife. She was an active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Eyota as member and president of WCCW. She taught religious education for more than 20 years. Survivors include her 12 children; Leo (Bev) Loftus of Rochester, Chuck (Bonnie) Loftus of Stewartville, Mary (Jim) Cole of Rochester, Lucille (Paul) Vermeersch of Rochester, Jerry (Carol) Loftus of Dover, Kathleen (Bruce) Atkinson of Rochester, Dorothy Loftus-Nall of Eyota, Joe (Wendy) Loftus of Eyota, Gene (Deb) Loftus of Dover, Elaine (Jim) Nigon of Greenwood, WI, Elizabeth (Dan) Pulford of Rochester and Tom Loftus of Hopkins, 41 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, nine siblings; Sister Rose Marie Bona Mueller of Assisi Heights, Rochester, George (Carlene) Mueller of Plainview, Ted Mueller of Rochester, Art (Helen) Mueller of Rochester, Louie (Gloria) Mueller of Sun City West, AZ, Jim (Marie) Mueller of St. Charles, Edith (Rol) Holm of St. Charles, Betsy (Tom) Lehnertz of Rollingstone and Clara (Rod) Burt of Rochester. She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard in 2006, a son James Allen, granddaughter Theresa Lynn Loftus, brother Cletus Mueller, son-in-law Jim Nall and a sister-in-law Lucille Mueller. The Funeral Mass for Leora will be 11:00 AM Friday 2-22-13 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Eyota with the Reverend Kurt Farrell officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Friends/family may call from 4-8PM Thursday at Hoff Funeral Services, St. Charles. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 8:00 PM. Visitation and viewing available one hour before services at the church on Friday morning. the family will appreciate your sharing a memory of Leora at her on-line guestbook and view her Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Memorials are preferred to a charity of the donor's choice in lieu of flowers.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/375395