Barry Lofthus

Barry G. Lofthus, age 71, passed away at his home on Sunday, December 1, 2013. He was born October 28, 1942 in Chippewa County to Malcolm and Jeanette (Bitney) Lofthus. He married FloyAnn Knowlton on March 21, 1964 in Sand Creek. Barry worked as a dairy farmer and truck driver. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bloomer, Farm Bureau and had served on the New Auburn Board of Education. Barry loved to work and seemed to always have a project going with another one in the planning stages. He was an avid collector of many things, including tractors and cars. He enjoyed going to auctions, visiting with friends, spending time with his family and teaching his life skills to his grandkids..

He is survived by his wife: FloyAnn of New Auburn; three sons: Richard (Kathryn) Lofthus of Bloomer, Paul Lofthus of New Auburn and Eric (Fiancée: Patty Tietz) Lofthus of New Auburn; one daughter: Wendy (Chad) Lauterbach of New Auburn; twelve grandchildren: Jessica (John), Bo, Noel, Isaac, Shelby, Kendra, Kylee, Dalton, Michael, Tyler, Kristen and Austen; three great-grandchildren: Elle, Mason and Paige; one brother: Mark Lofthus of Burnsville MN; six sisters: Bonnie (Gene) Peterson of New Auburn, Sharon (Kenneth) Nelson of Sand Creek, Patricia (Ed) McClure of Fairbanks AK, Kathleen (Lyndon) Peterson of New Auburn, Becky (Daniel) Riewestahl of Altoona and Joyce (Steven) Panasuk of New Richmond; three foreign exchange students: Espen Grindhaug, Dafina Nepola and Kyrian (Paiva) Welfare; numerous other friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Malcolm and Jeanette; one infant sister; brother-in-law: Steve Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bloomer. Interment will be in Our Savior’s Cemetery in Sand Creek. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 on Tuesday at the Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.