Melvin A. "Mel" Loesch

Melvin "Mel" Loesch, age 83 of Mounds View, died peacefully on Monday, September 6, 2021. Melvin Anthony, the son of Carl and Gertrude (Matz) Loesch, was born on October 14, 1937, in Hastings. He attended St. Boniface grade school and graduated from Hastings High School with the class of 1956. While in school, Mel spent two years in the hospital with Stills disease, a form of arthritis, and was told he would never walk again. After getting a second opinion and other medical treatment, Mel was able to overcome the diagnosis and live the rest of his life. In the summer of 1954, Mel met Mary Reichert at a roller-skating rink in Prescott, and they were later married on October 18, 1958. Shortly after high school, Mel began his life-long career with MNDOT. While there, he worked in the planning section of designs for new highway constructions. He later transferred to Truck Weights and Measures, and finally to Rails and Trails. His final claim to fame was purchasing the Stone Arch Bridge for the State and turning it into the public image it is today. Throughout the years Mel enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, camping, and woodworking. He was also a talented singer and participated in many choirs over the years. Mel was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and held many local and district positions. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marlene Tix and her husband, Jim; sister-in-law, Cindy Loesch; and recently by his son-in-law, Galo Gonzalez. Mel is survived by his wife of nearly sixty-three years, Mary; children, Brenda (Steve) Cysiewski, Cindy (David) Rushmeyer, Cheryl Loesch, Jeff (Dena) Loesch, and Jason (Deb) Loesch; eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; siblings, Roger (Donna) Loesch, Elaine Loesch, Ron (Diane) Loesch, Don Loesch, and Tom (Jeannie) Loesch; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, with Pastor Cassie Nault officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish Cemetery. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation for one hour prior to the service, and also to a reception immediately following the service, all at the funeral home on Saturday. Due to family flower allergies, Mel's family kindly requests memorials be directed to SEAS Sharing and Caring Ministry or Unbound Ministries in his memory. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.