Crookston – Elgin Loeffler, 94, died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 at Villa St. Vincent in Crookston.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, with Msgr. Roger Grundhaus presiding. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Military honors will be provided by the Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 2793, Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post 117 and Minnesota National Guard Honor Guard.
Elgin Joseph Loeffler was born on Jan. 18, 1922 in Terrebonne, the son of Joseph and Mary (Hagl) Loeffler. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Terrebonne. He attended country school near Red Lake Falls.
Elgin entered into service with the United States Army during World War II. He fought in campaigns in Belgium and Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, Elgin’s tank was hit by the Germans. While being a prisoner of war, a German doctor removed his eye and shrapnel.
For his service, Elgin was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, the French Fourragere and the Purple Heart.
After the war ended, Elgin was Honorably Discharged and returned to live in the Thief River Falls, area.
He purchased a small gravel truck and grew the business into Loeffler Construction employing about 25 people, which Elgin ran until the 1970’s. He moved to work construction in Wyoming for a short time and then to Ceres, Calif., for many years where Elgin worked in an apple orchard and also sold apples along the road.
Elgin was married to Gladys Bakke and to this union five children were born, Wayne, Robert, Meri, Timothy and Anthony.
Elgin enjoyed visiting family, watching combining during harvest, and especially enjoyed watching construction and being with his dog companion, Sheila. He was a very independent minded person.
He was a member of the Eagle’s Club, VFW Club and American Legion Post in Thief River Falls.
Survivors include children, Wayne Loeffler, Floral City, Fla., Robert Loeffler, Meri Loeffler and Tim (Kristine) Loeffler all of Thief River Falls, and Tony Loeffler, Brookston; grandchildren, Heather, Nicole, Breanna, Brody, Jeri Lynn, Natalie, Bobbie Jo, Shane, Cory and Kjelsy; several great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Adeline Loeffler; brother-in-law, George Simenson; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Judy Loeffler; siblings, Bernard (Toni) Loeffler, Frances Loeffler, Lorraine (Clarence) Stodola, Lois (Waldo) Thompson, Leah (Henry) Thompson, and Lucil Simenson.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.