Louise A. Loontjer
May 18, 1919 - July 5, 2015
Louise Anna Loontjer of Deshler, the daughter of John and Katharina (Meinke) Kniep, was born May 18, 1919, in rural Byron. She departed this life Sunday, July 5, 2015, at Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler at the age of 96 years.
Louise was born and raised in the Byron area and baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church near Byron.
She attended elementary school at St. John Lutheran School in Orange, California, and at District 75 in rural Byron. She helped at home until her marriage to Edwin A. Loontjer on May 31, 1942, at St. Peter Lutheran Church near Byron. This union was blessed with the birth of six children.
Louise worked at Parkview Haven Nursing Home from 1968–1988 as a nurse aide. She also helped Edwin with the farming and did yearly gardening and canning.
Louise enjoyed sewing, embroidery, quilting, cooking and baking. She made tea towels, pillowcases, quilts and pillows for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She enjoyed reading, word puzzles, and playing cards, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Louise was blessed with a strong faith. She was a former member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Kiowa, and active with the ladies group. As a member of St. Peter Lutheran in Deshler she enjoyed sewing quilt tops for World Relief and volunteered at the church and school. She was also active in several Bible study groups.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Edwin, daughter-in-law Phyllis Loontjer and grandsons, Andrew Michael and Edwin Ray Loontjer.
Louise is survived by two sons, Ed Loontjer and wife Janet of Columbus and Michael Loontjer of Columbus; four daughters, Leora Kuhlmann and husband Jerry of Grand Island, Carol Isaac and husband Al of Seward, Linda Brettmann and husband Dwayne of Seward, and Becky Reinke and husband Bob of Deshler; 19 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother Erwin Kniep and wife Florence of Byron; sister Olga Reinke of Davenport; sister-in-law Mary Loontjer; and nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Deshler. Officiant was Pastor B.J. Fouts; organist was Joyce Schmidt; special family music was by Ashley and Jordan Mohling “I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus;” congregational hymns were “Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus,” “Jesus Lead Thou On” and “Oh, That The Lord Would Guide My Ways.”
Casketbearers were Dan Isaac, Anthony Kuhlmann, Joel Kuhlmann, Lucas Brettmann, Kalab Reinke and Riley Reinke. Honorary casketbearers were Debra Mohling, Michelle Claycomb, Janel Holsten, Mistina Loontjer, Melissa Johnson, Angela Svoboda and Crystal Hansen. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be left at www.krollfh.com. Deshler Memorial Funeral Home of Deshler is in charge of arrangements.
