Bernard F. “Ben” Loecke, 93, of Worthington, Iowa, passed away at 10:50 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Klein Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Ben may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Services for Ben will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 22, 2018 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Worthington, with Rev. Dennis Conway Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Worthington, Iowa with full military honors afforded by the Cascade American Legion Post #528.

He was born January 14, 1925 in Dyersville, Iowa, son of Frank and Mary (Noethe) Loecke. He received his education in the St. Paul’s schools in Worthington. On May 30, 1949 he was united in marriage to Joan Wolfe. She preceded him in death on March 2, 2014. He was an electrician and owned the Loecke Feed store. He also farmed in the rural Worthington area.

In retirement he resided at River Bend Assisted Living in Cascade from July 2014 to March 2017. He resided at the Great River Klein Center in West Burlington from May 2017 until his passing.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially deer hunting for 62 years. He truly had a passion for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is a World War II veteran, having served in the Marine Corps in the Pacific front and was part of the occupation force in Japan.

He was a member of the Cascade American Legion Post #528, the Worthington Sportsman’s Club, the Catholic Order of Foresters. He served on the St. Paul School Board as a member and President. He was a member of the Worthington Volunteer Fire Department, for which he served as Chief for many years. He was also a member of St. Paul’s Parish in Worthington and its Altar and Rosary Society, where he also served as usher.

He is survived by three children, LuAnn (Bob) Glaser of Burlington, Robert Loecke of Cedar Rapids, and William (Kim) Loecke of Mt. Vernon; 8 grandchildren, Jennifer Glaser-Koehler of Des Moines, Nick Loecke and Vanessa Loecke Naber both of Cedar Rapids, Tony Loecke of Mt. Vernon, Ben Glaser of Chicago, IL, Allie Loecke Pearson of Farmington Hills, MI, Cassandra Loecke Pudenz of Waukee, and Melissa Loecke Rose of Petaluma, CA; 12 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way; his seven siblings, Doris Tucker of Manchester, Ruth Heims-Welch of Pahrump, NV, Walter Loecke and Rose Ann Krogman both of Manchester, Marian Peters of Delaware, David Loecke of Manchester, and Angela Harris of MN.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Verna Mae Roling; and a brother, Ralph Loecke.

Ben enjoyed the staff and his friends at River Bend Assisted Living. The family is sincerely grateful for the loving care Ben received while living at Great River Klein Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com