John Loeschke Obituary

John Loeschke, 65, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as a result of an automobile accident in Montana.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Central Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, August 14, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and will close with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Milbank City Cemetery in Milbank.

The service will be live streamed, recorded, and viewable below this obituary.

John James Loeschke was born on June 17, 1960, to James and Mildred (Schellberg) Loeschke in Milbank, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at Central Church in Milbank. John attended the Grant-Deuel School District in Revillo, SD, where he played sports and always enjoyed visiting with his classmates. He graduated with the class of 1978.

John began farming alongside his father right out of high school. He took great pride in raising crops, along with being a dairyman for the first 22 years of farming. Shortly thereafter, John couldn’t sit still after selling the dairy cows, so he switched to raising feeder cattle and continued to do so, along with raising crops until his departure from us.

On May 10, 1980, John married Karen Wollschlager at St. James Catholic Church in Nassau, MN. Together, they raised three children: Matthew, Kristin, and Lucas. John’s true passion in life was teaching his kids and grandkids how to properly raise crops and cattle, as well as instilling strong family values and a dedicated work ethic.

Family and faith were very important to John. He would get up extremely early to finish chores so he could attend the kids’ ball games or go to church on Sunday mornings. John enjoyed hunting and smoking meats. His wonderful smile and love of family meals showed just how much he cherished life and time spent with loved ones.

John was a church council member at Central United Methodist Church for 19 years. He served on the township board for Vernon Township for 27 years. At the annual church barbecue, you could often find him helping prepare the chicken for everyone to enjoy.

John also loved playing cards at family gatherings. He had the gift of gab and a special bond with people. When the grandkids came to the farm, they enjoyed rides in the tractor and checking the crops, a special time with Grandpa John, Mick, Abe, and Mina.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Karen of Milbank, SD; son, Matthew (Jackie) Loeschke of Milbank, SD; daughter, Kristin Loeschke of Watertown, SD; son, Lucas Loeschke of Milbank, SD; grandchildren: Mick, Abe, Mina Loeschke of Milbank, SD; step-grandson, Shad Hemmer of Amarillo, TX; sisters: Kathy (Gary) Granquist of Stockholm, SD and Elaine (Troy) Hewson of Newell, SD; aunt, Francis Conraads of Milbank, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by his in-laws: Greg and Teresa Wollschlager, Lori and Kyle Helm, Brenda Sime, Brian and Janelle Wollschlager, Mark and Laurie Wollschlager, Mary and Bob Drake, Tim and Jenny Wollschlager, Bob and Kristin Wollschlager.

He is preceded in death by James and Mildred Loeschke, and by his step mother , Leona Loeschke and brother in law Blake Sime and many aunts and uncles.