Eugene H. “Gene” Loecken

Eugene H. “Gene” Loecken, age 86 of St. Martin, died Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 21 at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin with Rev. Edward Vebelun, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the St. Martin Parish Hall in St. Martin. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday evening at the parish hall.
Eugene Harry Loecken was born July 31, 1928 in St. Martin, Minnesota to Peter and Alma (Schoenborn) Loecken. He graduated for Albany High School at the age of 15. He was united in marriage to Emma Hoppe on September 6, 1949 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. The couple was married for nearly 50 years before Emma passed away from cancer in 1999. He then married Carol Finken on July 11, 2003 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport.
Gene worked for the Cold Spring Granite Company for 47 years. He lived in Cold Spring for 22 years before moving back to the family farm near St. Martin. Gene was a member of St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing BINGO, bird watching, and going for rides with his dog, Sparky.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Loecken of Albany; children, Charlene Loecken of St. Joseph, Joan (Thomas) Breth of St. Joseph, Beverly (Arche) Bergeron of Tracy, California, Mary (David) Wright of Fletcher, North Carolina, Debbie Loecken of St. Joseph, Eugene (Melissa) Loecken, Jr., of Frederick, Maryland, and Amy (Stephen) Rothstein of Ramsey; step-children, Deb (Bruce) Hinnenkamp of Albany, Jeanne (Bruce) Hoeschen of Freeport, Vickie (Glenn) Hinnenkamp of Melrose, Scott (Darlene) Finken of Albany; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren; sister, Priscilla Klassen of Cold Spring; and brothers, Joseph (Kerri) Loecken of Melrose and James (Liz) Loecken of Swanville.
Gene was preceded in death by first wife, Emma Loecken on May 10, 1999; daughters, Bonnie and Charlotte; and sister, Bernice Bible.
Serving as casket bearers will be Matt Breth, Russ Eiynk, Becky Bjerke, Jason Bjerke, Sam Rothstein, and Angela Rothstein. Cross bearer will be Emily Loecken and scripture bearer will be Jaclyn Joyner. Gift bearers will be Kayla, Brandy, Samantha, and Laney Bjerke.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.