Andrew Hugo Lochner

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye and will continue on Thursday from 9:30 until 10:30 am at the church.

Service will be held at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 10:30 am.

The clergy will be Pastor Chris Cordes.

Interment will be at the Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye with military honors by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to St John’s Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Andrew Hugo Lochner was born September 20, 1943 in Sleepy Eye to Hugo and Anna (Trebesch) Lochner. He was raised on the family farm in Home Township. He attended country school through 5th grade and graduated from Sleepy Eye Public school. He attended the University of Minnesota. Andrew served in the US Army from 1964-1966 being stationed in Germany and serving as a surveyor. He was united in marriage to Rita Mae Benson on April 12, 1969. Together, Andrew and Rita farmed in North Home Township along with his brother and sister-in-law William and Carol. Andrew worked part time for the county ASCS office. He was then elected to 15 years on the Sleepy Eye Public School board. He served as an assessor for 5 townships in Brown County for 22 years before being elected Brown County Commissioner. He served this role through 2014 after 20 years in office. During this time, he proudly served the residents of Brown County on many boards and committees including Planning and Zoning, Detox, Region 9, Ditch committee and was a founding member of South Country Health Alliance. Andrew was often selected for financial positions as he was well known for his quick math and financial knowledge. He continued serving as a citizen member of the county Planning and Zoning and Detox boards until early this year when his health would not allow. Andrew was a life-time member of St John’s Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye and served on many boards over the years including Trust Fund and Church Council. He took great honor in serving on the boards he was selected to over the years, always trying to do what was best for the citizens he represented. Andrew loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a long-time member of the Sleepy Eye Golf Course and loved playing cards with friends as often as possible. He enjoyed cutting wood in the winter and was proud of his land and crops. He loved his Lord and was at peace knowing he would be joining Him in Heaven.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Rita Lochner; children, Derek (Sue) Lochner of Sioux City IA, Danny (Sheri) Lochner of St Cloud MN, Debbie (Tim) Hansen of Stillwater MN, Dean (Laura) Lochner of New Ulm MN; 9 grandchildren and 1expected great grandchild; brother William (Carol) Lochner of Sleepy Eye, sisters Violet (David) Eichers of New Brighton MN, Viola (Steve) Gericke of Arden Hills MN; Sister-in-Law Donna (Mark) Windschitl of New Ulm; and many loving nieces and nephews. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents Hugo and Anna as well as his sister Helen.