HARTINGTON — Sandra Noreen Loecker, 82, Hartington, died Nov. 26, 2024, at the Arbor Care Center, Hartington. Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 30 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Archbishop George J. Lucas, Rev. Craig Loecker and Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial was at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington. Visitation, with a Christian Mother’s rosary recited, was Saturday morning, at church. Pallbearers were her granddaughters, Emily Peter, Regan Loecker, Kendra Loecker, Camryn Loecker, Allison Loecker and Rachel Nesteby. Honorary pallbearers were Sandy’s other grandchildren, Dan Loecker, Adam Loecker, Ben Loecker, Matthew Loecker, Micah Loecker and Lucy Loecker.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Sandra Noreen Schrempp was born to Hubert and Mary Hegge Schrempp Sept. 30, 1942. She grew up on a farm northeast of Fordyce with four siblings, and graduated from Holy Trinity High School, Hartington. Sandra married Merle Henry Loecker Aug. 13, 1963, and lived first in Valentine and then South Sioux City, before moving to the farm east of Hartington. There she and Merle raised their six children.

Sandy was a devoted farm wife and mother. She spent countless hours working on the upkeep of the farm buildings and picket fencing around the farm, making sure to keep them freshly painted. She was also particular with keeping everything mowed and trimmed. She often joked later in life that she lost her ability to walk because she wore out her legs with too much mowing. Sandy grew a big garden every year and loved to can vegetables and make jelly. She also raised broiler chickens to butcher every summer. Sandy was an excellent cook and made sure no one left the house hungry. You could always count on a homemade meal, with homemade bread, on the table every evening. After her kids were raised, Sandy volunteered at the Holy Trinity Library for many years and also worked on the Election Board, checking in voters.

She was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, had an Hour of Adoration for many years, and was an active member of the Christian Mothers.

Sandy had a love of Polka music and loved to dance. She was a woman of deep faith and prayed the rosary daily. She instilled the importance of the Catholic faith in her children and grandchildren.

Due to her failing health, Sandy was a resident of Arbor Care skilled nursing facility in Hartington for the past three years. You would often find her doing crossword puzzles and watching the Game Show Network, NCN, EWTN and the Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV.

Sandra is survived by five children, Fr Craig Loecker, Omaha; Keith (Michelle) Loecker, Hartington; Curt (Kristi) Loecker, Hartington; Kathy (Steve) Smedra, Lincoln; Chris (Melissa) Loecker, Omaha; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three siblings, Sidney “Sam” Schrempp, Fordyce; Sharon Schulte, Yankton, S.D.; Shirley Kaiser, St. Helena; sisterin- law, Marie Schrempp, Yankton, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Merle Loecker; infant daughter, Kristi; daughter, Karen Wampol; son-in-law, Jeremy Wampol; parents, Hubert and Mary Schrempp; and brother, Stanley Schrempp.