Loran L Matsch

Loran L. Matsch, age 98, died peacefully on October 11th, 2016 at Augustana Care Center. He was born on June 13, 1918 in Hastings, MN the oldest of 10 children to Louis Bernard Matsch and Mildred Louise Matsch (Setley). Loran married Evelyn Matsch on November 30, 1940 in Cresco, Iowa. They were married for 70 years and had three children: Marlene, Mike and Mary. Loran served his country for 7 years in the National Guard & US Naval Corp. During WWII he was a Radar operator on the USS Makin Island, CVE93. He earned the American Area Service Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star, Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon with stars for the following engagements: Leyte, Iwo Jima, Lingayen, Okinawa. He was also a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps planting trees in the Chippewa National Forest. He attended St. John’s University for two years where he studied Economics and was the first freshman to letter in football. He returned home to help support his family and 8 siblings. Loran was a dedicated, disciplined employee at Ford Motor Company for 30 years as the Quality Control Manager until retirement. He then worked at Koch Oil Refinery where he retired for a second time. Recreational activities included fishing, couponing (which was not a sport before Loran), shopping (stocking his small family store), cooking (stuffing, Loran’s pickles, and German potato salad), softball, and feeding anyone in need. He was a humble Christian man. He was proud of his family and devoted to his wife. Preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Mildred Matsch; beloved wife, Evelyn Matsch; daughter, Mary Brown; brothers, Louis, Robert, Ken, James, Charles; sister, Dorothy Lenz. Survived by his daughter, Marlene (John) Hildebrandt of Hastings; son, Mike (Rita) Matsch of Hastings; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; son in law, Duane Brown; sister, Rhoda Birchen; brother, John (Sally) Matsch; sister, Karen Korn; sisters in law, Lois Keene, Dorothy Matsch and Shirley Matsch; brother in law, John Werth; many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Thomas O'Brien, will be held on Monday (10/17) at 4:00 PM at Regina Memorial Chapel, 1175 Nininger Road in Hastings. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Regina. Interment, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Memorials preferred to Hastings Family Service or bring a non-perishable food item to the mass.