Harpenau, Loretta J. (1910-2007)

HARPENAU, FOERSTER, WARBORG, MAJERES, HEATH, SCHROEDER, NIEHUS, BUNKERS, LOUTSCH

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/11/2008 at 21:50:53

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, September 10, 2007

Loretta J. Harpenau, 97, of Remsen, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen.

Loretta Harpenau was born Feb. 2, 1910, at Remsen, the daughter of Anton and Theresa (Foerster) Warborg. Loretta was raised in the Remsen area and received her education at St. Mary's Catholic School in Remsen. On Jan. 30, 1934, she married Anthony Harpenau at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen. They were engaged in farming in the Le Mars area until January 1941, when they moved to near Remsen to farm. They retired and moved into Remsen in 1975. Tony died July 7, 1983, after 49 years of marriage. Loretta had been a resident of the Happy Siesta since Sept. 19, 2003.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and church Guild, Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters of America, Blue Army, Mission Society and various prayer groups. She was one of the original members of the Altar Bread Bakers and also Oscar Cash. Loretta enjoyed her friends in card club. She was an active quilter -- helping with many projects and loved making afghans and doilies for her family and friends.

Survivors include three sons and their wives, Lloyd and Janice, Gerald and Marlene, David and Jeanne all of Remsen; two daughters and their husbands, Florine and Duane Majeres of Remsen, Ruth and Steve Heath of Minneapolis, Minn.; 26 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Florence (Clarence) Schroeder of Remsen.

She was also preceded in death by one great-granddaughter, Macie Majeres; one stepbrother, Joe and his wife Rose Niehus; three stepsisters and their husbands, Anna and Ted Bunkers, Kate and Dominic Loutsch, Clara and Jack Loutsch; and one brother-in-law, Clarence Schroeder.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Remsen. Friends may call after 2 p.m. today (Monday). There will be a rosary at 3 p.m. by the Christian Mothers - Guild and a vigil prayer service at 7:30 p.m., all at the Fisch Funeral Home in Remsen.

Casketbearers will be Chuck, Jeff and Tony Harpenau, Mike Majeres, Christopher Heath and Judy Majeres. Honorary bearers will be Loretta's grandchildren.