Theodore David Loftness

Theodore 'Ted' David Loftness, of Coon Rapids, died March 22, 2023. Ted was born June 27, 1934 in Fairfax, MN, to Reuben and Daisy (Case) Loftness. He was a US Army Veteran and married Susan (Sue) Elizabeth Wemple in November 1958. Just before Ted's first birthday his father died. Ted attended Fairfax, MN high school, played sousaphone in band, and as a tenor in a men's chorus quartet won first place in a regional contest. Ted graduated from high school in 1952 and spent his time working as a baker and in construction. He made the conscious decision to volunteer for accelerated draft, reporting to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in April of 1954. Ted served two full years as a cook. His squad was prepared for overseas, but never deployed. After his honorable service discharge, Ted returned to Fairfax although his mother Daisy and her new husband Joe Maxwell had moved the family to Oriska, ND. Ted enrolled at the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill in 1956, selecting Mortuary Science as a degree path. Ted lived his first year near campus with his older brother Ronald. For his second year, Ted lived in a funeral home rent-free, with a requirement to be on duty every third night and every third weekend for funeral home matters. While a student at the U of M, Ted met recent Minneapolis General Hospital nursing graduate Susan Wemple in 1957. They married on November 15, 1958, which happens to be the birth date of both Ted's parents, Reuben and Daisy. Ted completed his degree in 1959 and began working at Welander Quist Funeral Services in Minneapolis. In June of that year, Ted accepted a job as a mortician at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, MN, and was appointed as the Deputy Coroner. He and Sue setup a home and Sue worked full time as a Registered Nurse at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. Both were active in the Willmar JayCees, with Ted and Sue both serving terms as president in the respective clubs Daughter Karen Renee was born in May 1960, followed by the birth of twin sons David Jay and Steven Jon in November 1963. In 1966, Ted arranged a job interview for an insurance adjuster position with American Family Insurance, using the funeral coach to deliver a body to the Twin Cities just prior to the interview. The family moved to Saint Cloud, MN in 1967 and rented a house. Ted began his job as a claims adjuster for five rural counties in central Minnesota, and the decision was made to buy a home. A pink house in Sartell, MN was purchased on the GI Bill in the summer of 1968, on a two-acre wooded lot not far from the Mississippi River. A fourth child, son Gregg Eric, was born in October of 1970. Ted received a promotion to a District Claims Manager in 1973, prompting a move to a Twin Cities suburb. The family moved into a ranch home in Coon Rapids in the summer of 1973. Ted was further promoted to Branch Claims Manager of the northern section of the state with American Family Insurance, and retired from the company in 1998. Sue retired from nursing in 2001. The family were members of Faith Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, and all four children reached adulthood in the Coon Rapids home where Sue still lives. Ted and Sue enjoyed traveling to several areas in the US including Alaska, and countries Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Spain and Norway. In November of 2018 Ted and Sue celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family, friends, five grandchildren and one great grandson. Ted is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Karen (Don), sons David (Eve), Steven (Irina), and Gregg (Petra). Surviving grandchildren are Alexis (Jeff) and great-grandson Bhody; and grandchildren Theodore, Susanna, Kirill, and Daisy. Ted's surviving siblings are Ron, Elaine, Pat (Susie), and Bridgett (Donny). He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sylvia, and brother Mike. A memorial of Ted's life will be held on Saturday April 1, with visitation at 1:00 PM and a service at 2:00 PM. Washburn-McReavy Seman Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids 763-767-1000. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.

Tributes

Theodore David Loftness

June 27, 1934 - March 22, 2023

Tributes

Theodore David Loftness

June 27, 1934 - March 22, 2023

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203