Caroline Loeffen

Caroline J. Loeffen, age 84, of Faribault, died Sunday, May 8, 2011 at her home, surrounded by her family.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, in Faribault, with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery, Faribault.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Thursday, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday for one hour prior to services.    The family prefers that memorials be directed to Faribault Area Hospice, Bethlehem Academy High School or Divine Mercy Catholic Church.    Caroline Johanna Smits, the daughter of Jan and Caroline (Peters) Smits, was born on March 8, 1927 in Beuningen, Holland. She was the youngest of 5 children. Caroline was a Girl Scout leader for many years in her home town. At a village dance, Caroline met her future husband, Bernard Loeffen. On April 10, 1956 they were united in marriage in Beuningen, Holland. On May 14 of that same year they immigrated to the United States and settled in Faribault. For the first year in the United States they lived with her brother and his wife, Tony and Maria Smits. After a short time they began farming in Walcott Township, where they lived for many years. During that time Caroline helped her husband farm by milking cows and doing field work in the early years. During this time Caroline cleaned homes for people. Caroline and Bernard also adopted three daughters who they loved very much. Caroline was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, and Divine Mercy Catholic Church and CCW. Caroline also knitted many prayer shawls for the sick of the parish.    Over the years Caroline maintained huge vegetable and many flower gardens. Caroline was a very proficient seamstress making clothes for her three daughters and their dolls. As time went on Caroline mended many items for her sons-in-law and grandchildren. Caroline was a very good cook and enjoyed cooking for guests including the parish priests.    She is survived by three daughters, Maria (and Randy) Hruska, Linda (and Jim) Demarest and Laura (and David) Lambert, all of Faribault; by seven grandchildren, Nicholas and Alex Hruska (and special friend Kami Krautkramer), Jennifer and Timothy Demarest and Miranda (and special friend Jake Brady), Cassie and Larissa Lambert; one great granddaughter, Andrea Lambert-Brady; one brother, Anthony (and Maria) Smits of Faribault; special friend and care giver, Tina Ficht; brothers and sisters-in-law in Holland, and brothers and sisters-in-law, Ann (and Lambert) Van Haren of Faribault and Tony (and Ann) Loeffen of Idaho; and by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.    She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bernard in 2004; sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilhelmien and Thijs Lamers, Elizabeth and Jan Verploegen, and brother and sister-in-law, Henk and Nellie Smits.