Melvin J. Loidolt

Melvin J. Loidolt 84 year old resident of Indianapolis, IN formerly of Pierz, MN passed away Monday, June 10, 2013 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 14, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz, MN with Father Kenneth Popp officiating. Burial will take place in Fort Snelling Nathional Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 P.M on Thursday and from 9-10 A.M. on Friday at the Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN. A Christian Mother’s rosary will be at 4:30 P.M. with Parish Prayers at 7 P.M. and followed by the Knights of Columbus office of the dead at 7:30 P.M. all on Thursday at the Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, MN. Melvin J. Loidolt was born November 5, 1928 on a farm near Pierz, Minnesota to Frank and Josephine (Happke) Loidolt. Mel was the sixth child in the family of nine children. Richard, Dorene, Elmer, Laura, and Cora have passed away. Patricia (Dick) Bujalski of Pierz, MN; Ron (Bonnie) Loidolt of Fort Ripley, MN; and Sharilyn Busta of Peru, IN. survive. Mel has two grandchildren: Jordan and Kaleigh. Mel has 32 nieces and nephews. Mel’s military service was in the US Army in Germany. He continued his elementary teachers education at Bemidji University in Bemidji, MN, graduating in August 1954. In all he taught 41 years in the states and overseas. In Germany he taught in the American Dependent School in Mainz and Heidelberg where he met Kathryn Sullivan. They were married August 16, 1958 in Corning, Iowa. The couple returned to Heidelberg, Germany. Our daughter, Mary was born June 24, 1961 but lived only 11 hours. They transferred to Asmara, Eritrea, East Africa, 1yr.; to Seoul, Korea, 1 yr.; Camp Zama, Japan 3 years, serving 10 years of teaching American Children of military families. Their son , Marcus Jon was born in the military hospital in Camp Zama, Japan. Mel and Kay returned to the US and settled in Indianapolis, Indiana where their daughter Kim was born. Mel taught Warren Twp. At Eastridge Elementary School for 24 years. He received his Masters Degree at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, . Mel retired from teaching school in 1990. During his retirement, he was active in St. Andrews Catholic Church on variety of projects. He served as president on the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 18 years and was recently honored with their "Top Hat" award for his dedication to the organization . He was a member of the Secular Franciscans; Knights of Columbus #5290 and American Legion and also enjoyed being an usher for Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) for many years. Mel will long be remembered for the kindness and compassion he bestowed on so many and the abundance of joy he brought to his family and friends.

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Melvin J. Loidolt

November 5, 1928 - June 10, 2013