Sandra Loecker

Sandra Noreen Loecker, age 82 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at the Arbor Care Center in Hartington.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with the Archbishop George J. Lucas, Rev. Craig Loecker, and Rev. Owen Korte  officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s cemetery in Hartington.  Visitation will be on Saturday morning, at church, from 9-11:00 a.m. with a Christian Mother’s rosary recited at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be her granddaughters – Emily Peter, Regan Loecker, Kendra Loecker, Camryn Loecker, Allison Loecker, and Rachel Nesteby. 

 Honorary pallbearers will be Sandy’s other grandchildren – Dan Loecker, Adam Loecker, Ben Loecker, Matthew Loecker, Micah Loecker, and Lucy Loecker.

 Sandra Noreen Schrempp was born to Hubert and Mary Hegge Schrempp on September 30, 1942 in Menominee, NE. She grew up on a farm northeast of Fordyce with four siblings and graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Hartington. Sandra married Merle Henry Loecker on August 13, 1963 and lived first in Valentine Nebraska and then South Sioux City Nebraska before moving to the farm East of Hartington. There she and Merle raised their six children. 

Sandy was a devoted farm wife and mother. She spent countless hours working on the upkeep of the farm buildings and picket fencing around the farm, making sure to keep them freshly painted. She was also particular with keeping everything mowed and trimmed. She often joked later in life that she lost her ability to walk because she wore out her legs with too much mowing. Sandy grew a big garden every year and loved to can vegetables and make jelly. She also raised broiler chickens to butcher every summer. Sandy was an excellent cook and made sure no one left the house hungry. You could always count on a homemade meal, with homemade bread, on the table every evening. After her kids were raised, Sandy volunteered at the Holy Trinity Library for many years and also worked on the Election Board checking in voters. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, had an Hour of Adoration for many years and was an active member of the Christian Mothers.

 Sandy had a love of Polka Music and loved to dance. She was a woman of deep faith and prayed the rosary daily. She instilled the importance of the Catholic faith in her children and grandchildren. Due to her failing health, Sandy was a resident of Arbor Care skilled nursing facility in Hartington for the past 3 years. You would often find her doing crossword puzzles and watching the Game Show Network, NCN, EWTN and the Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV. We feel fortunate and blessed to have had her as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother for all these years.

 Sandra is survived by 5 children Fr Craig Loecker of Omaha, Keith (Michelle) Loecker of Hartington, Curt (Kristi) Loecker of Hartington, Kathy (Steve) Smedra of Lincoln, Chris (Melissa) Loecker of Omaha; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings Sidney “Sam” Schrempp of Fordyce, Sharon Schulte of Yankton, Shirley Kaiser of St. Helena; sister-in-law Marie Schrempp of Yankton; and many nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by husband Merle Loecker; infant daughter Kristi; daughter Karen Wampol; son-in-law Jeremy Wampol; parents Hubert & Mary Schrempp; and brother Stanley Schrempp.