Loras J. McLaughlin (1936-2021)

MCLAUGHLIN, BREITBACH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/1/2021 at 22:38:40

Loras J. McLaughlin, 85, of Maquoketa, Iowa, beloved husband, father, and grandfather entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Maquoketa Care Center. He spent the last 2½ years at the care center, unable to return home due to many medical conditions and complications.

A funeral mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021, from 4 to 7 P.M. at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Maquoketa.

Loras Joseph was born on February 27, 1936, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Frank and Lolita (Breitbach) McLaughlin. He attended a one room country school for 8 years and was a 1954 graduate of Loras Academy in Dubuque.

In 1955, Loras enlisted in the Army, spending two years on active duty including one year in Frankfurt, Germany followed by two years in the reserves.

He met and married the love of his life, Mary Ann Yoerger, on October 1, 1960, in Bellevue, Iowa. He was employed at John Deere, Dubuque but on November 2, 1960, returned to the farm due to the tragic death of his father following a farm accident.

Loras enjoyed being a farmer, raising livestock and crops along with various jobs selling feed, seed corn, and being a rural mail carrier for many years. He enjoyed visiting with the patrons whether near the mailbox or walking across the yard, discussing farming and current events along with giving the small children a stick of gum. In earlier years, his children would occasionally accompany him on the mail route and would receive an ice cream bar as they traveled through the Maquoketa Caves.

Loras and Mary Ann did not do extensive traveling but took many day trips and frequently had dinner with the family at the Moracco Supper Club and breakfast in town after Sunday mass.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Mary Ann McLaughlin of Maquoketa, IA; children, Michael (Shelly) McLaughlin of Maquoketa, IA, Jane (Bob) Stolen of Atkins, IA, Mark (Jeri) McLaughlin of Maquoketa, IA, and David (Christa) McLaughlin of Eldridge, IA; and 10 grandchildren, Alex and Haley McLaughlin, Megan, Jacob and Shannon Stolen, Austin and Brett McLaughlin, and Nile, Ella and Tate McLaughlin. Loras was preceded in death by his parents, and sister and brother-in-law Mary Jean and Jack McCarthy.

The family would like to especially thank the staff at Maquoketa Care Center and Dr. Rickertsen for the wonderful and compassionate care given.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

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