Norman Loidolt

Norman F. Loidolt, 84 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, died Saturday, May 18 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at 10:30 am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie Little Falls, Minnesota with Father Joseph Herzing officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN at 2:00 P.M. Friends may gather from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, May 27 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 9:30 am until the hour of service on Tuesday at the church. Military Rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. Norman F. Loidolt was born March 18, 1929 on a farm near the Skunk River in Granite Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late John and Marie (Nespory) Loidolt. Norm enlisted into the United States Army on October 29, 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954. Norm was united in marriage to Betty Lou Doroff on October 2, 1957 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. The couple built their home by the Mississippi River just north of Little Falls in 1959, where they raised their children. Norm was in the National Guard from 1964 until his discharge in 1989, serving with the 747 Maintenance Battalion Company F. He worked at Camp Ripley north of Little Falls for 25 years as a Federal Technician. During his time at Camp Ripley, he was the commander of the firing squad for funerals and parades. He also worked for Crestliner Boats and drove school bus after his retirement from Camp Ripley. Norm was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he taught Religious Education for many years and was a member of the Funeral Choir, Knights of Columbus and volunteered for several church activities. His faith was important to him and he passed it on to his family. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their sporting events and concerts. Norm loved the river and he spent many hours pulling his children behind the boat on skis and tubes. Norm was always willing to help his family and had a knack of knowing just what needed to be done. He loved old-time music and dancing with his wife, Betty. He was a member of the Morrison County Horseshoe League and the Bar Ringer Horseshoe League. He was a World and State Horseshoe champion in his class. He loved to travel with his family and since retirement, he traveled with Betty on Gary Block Tours. He enjoyed electric trains, golfing, gardening, bowling, snowmobiling, playing cards and reading the newspaper. He was an avid Vikings Fan and Little Falls Flyer Fan. Norm was active with the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the VFW Post #1112. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Betty Loidolt of Little Falls, MN; children, Cheryl (Vince) Prososki of Richville, MN, Cindy Loidolt of Little Falls, MN and Greg (Pam) Loidolt of Elk River, MN; siblings, Raymond (Bernadine) Loidolt of Genola, MN, Hildegarde Kapsner of Pierz, MN; sister-in-law, Cecilia Loidolt of Pierz, MN; grandchildren, Sarah Prososki, Troy Prososki, Trevor Loidolt and Bryce Loidolt. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Loidolt; siblings, Alvin Loidolt, Rolland Loidolt, Erma Paulsen, Leander "Ole" Loidolt, Donald Loidolt; mother and father-in-law, Anthony and Margaret Doroff.