Obituary of Dennis Loecker

LOECKER DENNIS

Dennis Joseph Loecker, 79, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, formerly of Fordyce, Nebraska, was called to his heavenly home on January 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on January 18, 2025, at Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Menominee, Nebraska, with Reverend Craig Loecker officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date with the family present. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on January 17, 2025, at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, South Dakota, with a Wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the service at the church. To watch the live stream of Dennis’s service, click this link: https://server.attend.live/static/event/BBnVX. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

Dennis was born on January 14, 1946, at home on the farm, to Emil Peter and Vera Elizabeth (Albers) Loecker. He attended grade school in Menominee and graduated from Crofton High School. In 1966, Dennis was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he was wounded in 1967 and honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He cherished his yearly reunions with fellow Vietnam veterans. Dennis worked various jobs, including HVAC, farm feed services, and later retired from Alcoa in 2011.

On May 4, 1974, Dennis married Vivian Elaine Haberman. Together, they were blessed with four children: Joe, Jill, Jackie, and Jeremy. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching football and baseball, and spending cherished moments with his grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by his children and their families. Joe (Kelle) of Yankton, SD (their children Andrew (Emily), great granddaughter McKenna and Brady (Courtney), great grandchildren Kacyn and Ainsley); Jill Sapp of Hooper, NE; Jackie (Glenn) Scotting of Humboldt, SD; and Jeremy (Beth) of Sioux Falls, SD (their children Samuel (Andrew), great grandson, Thomas; Elijah and Gabriel). Siblings: Allen Loecker, Glenn (Mary) Loecker, Gladys Jones, Don (Denise) Loecker, Marvin (Debbie) Loecker, Paulette (John) Dressen, and Dave (Sheila) Loecker. In laws: Judith Ruhanna, Mary Ellen Heflin, Joan Haberman, Wilfred (Joyce) Haberman, Walter (Janice) Haberman, Sharon Haberman, Jerri Haberman, Arlene (Gary) Heine, Lois Koelder, Elmer (Lora) Haberman, and Inez Foster.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Vera Loecker; his wife, Vivian (Haberman) Loecker; his son-in-law, Steven Sapp; his brothers, Merle Loecker and Larry Loecker; and his in-laws: Anthony and Leona Haberman, Sandra Loecker, Sheila Loecker, Arnie Jones, James Haberman, Darold Haberman, Vernon Haberman, Tim Foster, Gary Heflin, and El Koelder.