James Loeffler

James L. Loeffler, age 85, of Eagle Lake, MN, died Monday, November 18, 2013, at his home surrounded by his family following an extended illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair, MN, with Reverend Robert Schneider, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the Immaculate Conception Church Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the St. Clair American Legion.

Visitation will be held at the Arnoldt-McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Janesville, MN on Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

James Louis was born November 21, 1927 to Andrew and Ellen (King) Loeffler on the family farm near Eagle Lake, MN. Jim went to the White School through eighth grade. He then went to high school in St. Clair and graduated in 1945. He participated in basketball and baseball in his youth and continued playing in high school and on the town team. Jim attended college at South Dakota State University then served in the U.S. Air Force in Guam. He married Rose Marie DeMars on December 1, 1951 and they spent their married life on the family farm where Jim was born. They were the parents of five children, Alan, Terri, Jay, Pat, and Julie and have nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Jim was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching baseball, especially the MoonDogs and Twins. He was a member of the St. Clair American Legion Post 475.

He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Rose Marie of Eagle Lake; five children, Alan (Donna) Loeffler of Altura, MN, Terri Loeffler of St. Paul, MN, Jay Loeffler of Eagle Lake, MN, Pat Loeffler of Eagle Lake, MN, and Julie (Paul) Bowe of Mankato, MN.

Nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren; Nicole Duenes, Joe Duenes, Jennifer Loeffler and children Hailey and Ryder, Ryan (Hilari) Workman, Jessica (Justin) Hansen and children, Aaron, Madison, and Colbie, Megan Loeffler, Heidi Loeffler, Andrew Loeffler, and Isaac Loeffler.

Brother, John (Pat) Loeffler of Janesville; and sister, Monica Dauffenbach-Ahern of Mankato.

Sisters-in-law, Shirley Fitzloff of Mankato, Jackie Haley of Waseca, Jan Ellis of Waseca, Kathy (Tom) Wright of Reston, VA, and Pat (Tony) Staloch of Janesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Lowell Loeffler, Alice Juberien, and Robert Loeffler; brother-in-law, LaVerne DeMars; sisters-in-law, Darlene Kulseth, Joyce Hill, and Donna Danberry; and parents-in-law, Leo and Toni DeMars.