Loretta M. Pelzer, 90 year old resident of Swanville, MN passed away Saturday, September 7, 2019 at CentraCare Health in Long Prairie, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, MN with Father Ron Dockendorf officiating. Burial will take place in the St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery in Swanville, MN. A visitation will take place from 4-8 P.M. on Wednesday and from 10-11 A.M. on Thursday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, MN. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN.
Loretta Marie Drew was born on October 20, 1928, in Flint, Michigan to the parents of William and Cecelia (Ringwelski) Drew. She attended country school in Darling Township, District 35, with her last four years at St. Francis High School, graduating from there in 1946. After high school, she attended one year of teacher training in Little Falls, and then went on to teach country school for the next 10 years in Morrison County. On August 5, 1954 she married Lawrence Pelzer at St. James Catholic Church in Randall. After raising her family, she decided to pursue a teaching degree, which she attained in 1970 at St. Cloud State University. She then became a second-grade teacher at the Swanville Elementary School. She lived and believed in the motto, “We live a life by what we give.” Nothing took priority over her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as she took great pride in all their accomplishments. For over 65 years of her life, she was a self-taught organist and music director in churches at Randall, Flensburg and Swanville. She was also involved in Christian Women and Mission work. On October 28, 1993, Bishop Hanus presented a Medal of Honor for her work in the music ministry for 50 years of service.
Loretta is survived by her children, Patrick (Teresa) of Long Prairie, MN, Charles (Christine), of Swanville, MN, Denise Welters of Long Prairie, MN, Paul (Charee) of Swanville, MN and Brian (Mary) of Long Prairie, MN; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brother, Dennis Drew of Coon Rapids, MN, and sister, Patricia Ritter of Anoka, MN.
Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; her parents, William and Cecelia, and brothers, Eugene and Leonard.
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