Loretta Didier

Loretta M. Didier, age 97 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at the Gardens of Foley Nursing Home in Foley, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 28 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Loretta Mary Kemper was born January 9, 1924 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Joseph and Bernadine (Austing) Kemper. Loretta wanted to go to high school but instead started working at the White Spot restaurant.  She met her future husband, Al “Shorty” Didier while working at the White Spot while Shorty worked at the gas station next door.  She was united in marriage to Shorty on October 13, 1942 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple farmed with Shorty’s family near West Union.  Later, Loretta worked for the grocery store and post office in West Union.  After the couple retired and sold the farm, they moved to Sauk Centre.  In 2010, Loretta moved to Freeport.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Christian Mothers, and St. Theresa’s Mission.  Loretta enjoyed sewing, playing cards, cooking, and enjoyed doing most anything!

Survivors include her daughter, Jeanette “Jeanie” (David) Gapinski of Foley; 17 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Marcella Rademacher of Sauk Centre, Adeline Kemper of Tacoma, Washington, Irene Harmeling of South Saint Paul, and Marina Koopmeiners of St. Cloud; brother, Marvin (Betty) Kemper of Melrose; and son-in-law, Lenny Winkels of Albany.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, Al “Shorty” Didier on January 30, 1999; parents; daughter, Karen Winkels; grandchildren, Charlotte Gapinski, Colleen Gapinski, and Nathan Gapinski; great-grandson, Andy Schneider; brothers, Ray Kemper and Rich Kemper; and sisters, Viola Evans, Dorothy Moorman, Dolores Rasmussen, and Helen Hunt.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kevin Gapinski, Ryan Gapinski, Tom Winkels, Dan Winkels, Don Winkels, and Gary Winkels.  Cross bearer will be Jackie Bosshart and scripture bearer will be Julie Harris.