LOSCHEN, Harold John

Harold John Loschen, 85 years of age from Wilcox, Nebraska died on Thursday, May 12, 2011 near Axtell, Nebraska as a result of a traffic accident. Harold was born November 6, 1925, south of Hildreth, Nebraska to John and Pauline (Schnuerle) Loschen. Harold was baptized at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, December 13, 1925, Ash Grove, Nebraska. He was confirmed May 8th, 1940 at St. John's Lutheran Church, then located three miles south of Wilcox. He attended country schools at rural Macon and rural Wilcox, through the fourth grade. He continued his education through the eleventh grade at Wilcox Public Schools. Harold worked with his father building roads for Franklin County and then started farming. Harold and Rosie (Rohnke) were married on June 6, 1948 by Rev. Earnest Baack at Zion Lutheran Church one mile west of Macon, Nebraska. They started their married life on the farm where Harold had lived since the spring of 1936 and where he continued to reside to his death. Harold was a member of St. Johnʼs Lutheran Church where Harold served as past president, elder and trustee. He was a member of the AAL advisory board. He served on the Wilcox Coop Board, Wilcox School Board, Lincoln Township Board, and Franklin County ASCS Committee. Harold enjoyed farming with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was dedicated to their care and education. He was a loving steward of all the gifts God blessed him with and shared that passion with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He loved the Lord and spent many hours with his wife studying the scriptures and enjoying hymns. He went to his eternal rest on May 12, 2011, as a result of an automobile accident at the age of 85 years, 6 months and 6 days. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Frank and Katie (Pollman) Rohnke, infant brother George, brothers in law: John Frerichs, Ede Rohnke, Herman Frerichs, Gustav Rohnke, Albert Rohnke, sisters in law: Delphine Anderson Loschen, Aaje Maria Frerichs, Marie Wilhelmina Frerichs, Katie Rohnke Schluntz, Janice Rohnke and Maurine Frerichs, and son in law Michael Fritson. Harold is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Rosie (Rohnke) Loschen; children, Judy Turner and husband Richard of Holdrege, Marilyn Hays and husband Robert of Hildreth, Naomi Marco and husband Vince of Fort Collins, CO and Steven Loschen and wife Cari (Blecha) of Wilcox; grandchildren, Mark Fritson and wife Christa, Matthew Fritson and wife Jennifer, Mary Fritson Olson and husband Michael. Timothy Hays and wife Jennifer, Andrea Hays, James Hays and wife Jennifer, Susan Hays Meier and husband Daniel and John Hays. Aria Marco, Amy Marco and Aidan Marco, John Loschen, Benjamin Loschen and Hallie Loschen; great grandchildren: Clayton Fritson, Caden Fritson, Carson Fritson, Mya Grace Fritson, Sara (Fritson) Wood, William Fritson, Spencer Hays, Abigail Hays, Mackinze Hays, Katelyn Hays, and Addison Hays and brother Elmer and his wife Sally, and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wilcox with Rev. Mel Mertens officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery south of Wilcox. Visitation will be at the Jelden-Craig Funeral Home in Hildreth on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-8:30 p.m.