Obituary of Sylvester Francis Loesche

Sylvester “Red” F. Loesche, 87, of Dyersville and formerly of Petersburg died Monday, January 15, 2018, at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2018, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville.  Visitation will continue Friday from 9-10 am Friday at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 19, 2018, SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. John O’Connor will officiate.

Red was born May 13, 1930 in Petersburg the son of Henry and Mary (Thole) Loesche.  He grew up on the family farm, attended grade school in Petersburg and graduated from Loras Academy in Dubuque. He married Alma Langel on Sept. 21, 1950, in Dyersville.  Together they farmed on the family farm near Petersburg until they moved to town in 2001.  Red played baseball at Loras Academy and continued for years playing for numerous local teams as a pitcher over the years.  When he hung up the glove he turned to golf, spending many afternoons with his friends on the course.  He was an avid Cubs, Packers and Notre Dame fan.  Red and Alma loved to travel, especially to Arizona where they would attend the Cubs spring training and going to the casino.

Survivors include his wife, Alma of 67 years, children: Russ and Randy Loesche, and Dennis (Jean) Loesche, all of Petersburg, Margie (Cam) Kolle and Connie (Leon) Schuster, both of Dyersville, and Bonnie (Gary) Bass of Chico, TX; grandchildren: Jayme (Stefanie) Loesche, Ben Loesche, Billi (Dave) Mottet, Bob Loesche, Brittany (Cody) Radabaugh, Cory Schuster, Amber (Jeff) Lehmann, Carrie Wieneke (Josh Broghammer), Ashley (Jeremiah) Chapman and Amanda (Justin) Tucker; 15 great grandchildren; in-laws: Leona Niehaus of Dyersville, Helen Krogman of Dubuque and Arlene Langel of Manchester.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 daughters-in-law, Deb Loesche, Freida Loesche; a son-in-law, Wayne Wieneke,; siblings: Laurine (Clarence) Kruse, Lawrence (Maxine) Loesche, Andy (Melanie) Loesche, Bernice (Harry) Gassmann, Delores (Paul) Lammers; in-laws: Eldrew Niehaus, Leroy Krogman, Raymond (Sally) Langel, Lucille Langel, Esther (Clete Klein and Roger Sullivan) Sullivan, Evelyn (John) Gaul, Mary (Lyle) Neuhaus, Marcella (Alphonse Weber and Edmund Steger) Weber Steger, Sylvester (Delores) Langel, and Ambrose Langel.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Snyder, Dr. Eric Engelman, Oak Crest Manor, Hospice of Dubuque and their staffs for the wonderful care they showed our father.

Memorials are preferred to Beckman High School and Oak Crest Manor.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.