Edna Loncorich, 94, of Hutchinson

Edna Loncorich, 94, of Hutchinson, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at the Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, after a brief battle with congestive heart failure and kidney failure.
Memorial services were held Monday, March 9, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Hutchinson with the Rev. Cindy Mueller officiating. Special memories were shared by Frank Loncorich and Orlin Loncorich. Sharon Barton was the organist. Soloist Lucy Newcomb sang “In the Garden,” and soloist Brian Brosz sang “The Lord’s Prayer.” Special music by Wally Pikal and Brian Brosz was “Amazing Grace.” Congregational hymns were “Softly and Tenderly,” “Blessed Assurance” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
Casket bearers were Todd Loncorich, Ryan Loncorich, Linus Thell, Andrew Schrupp, Peter Laird and Nick Frank. A private family interment service was held at the columbarium in the Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Edna Loncorich was born July 13, 1920, in Jamestown, N.D., to Karl and Bertha (Jerke) Trautmann. She was baptized as an infant in her home church, Zion Congregational Church of Medina, N.D. She attended a rural public school through eighth grade in Cleveland, N.D. Her father, Karl Trautmann, was employed by Great Northern Railroad in Jamestown, N.D., for a number of years. The family then moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he became an apple orchard farmer. After a disappointing experience with orchard farming, the family moved back to Cleveland, N.D., and engaged in raising cattle and crop farming. As a young girl, Edna worked alongside her father on a daily basis, performing many farming tasks as well as caring for the work horses. Because of the extensive drought and the Great Depression years of the 1930s, the family moved to Minnesota in 1938 in search of a more prosperous livelihood.
On Sept. 15, 1940, she was married to Peter Loncorich by the Rev. Homer Dolrympale of the Glencoe Congregational Church. As a farmer’s wife, Mrs. Loncorich worked very hard to help develop a successful farming operation in rural Brownton. Mr. Loncorich died in May 1977 at the age of 62. After her retirement, Mrs. Loncorich built a home and moved to Hutchinson in 1987.
As a longtime dedicated member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Mrs. Loncorich served on many church committees and boards. She co-chaired the funeral committee for many years and especially enjoyed her work on the banner committee. She also worked at the annual church rummage sales and soup suppers. She developed many lifelong friendships within the U.C.C. family. She also was an active volunteer for the Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary and did volunteer work for Burns Manor, which included making lap robes and other sewing projects. Mrs. Loncorich had a real passion for doing needle work, crocheting, quilting and sewing, and took great pride in the care of her yard and large flower gardens. Family time was a special priority for her, including hosting Christmas dinners for her family until she reached age 90. Her grandchildren were very dear to her and she rarely missed their birthday parties. As they became older, she shared her cooking, canning and freezing skills with them. She also liked to travel and took many bus tours throughout the United States.
She is survived by her sons, Frank (Bonnie) Loncorich of St. Cloud, Orlin Loncorich of Arvada, Colo., and Steven (Linell) Loncorich of Brownton; daughters, Joyce (David) Schrupp of Hutchinson and Joan (Wade) Padrnos of Hutchinson; 14 grandchildren, Todd (Kristin) Loncorich, Melanie (Linus) Thell, Ryan Loncorich, Nicole (Peter) Laird, Stefanie (Nick) Frank, Alissa (Josh) Weckman, Kelly (Jake) Perron, Andrew Schrupp and Tiffany Kalahar, Elizabeth (Nick) Neiert, Sarah (Jon) Forcier, Rebecca (Zach) Ljungren, Sara Pad-rnos, Eric (Cassie) Padrnos and Adam (Abbey) Padrnos; stepgrandchildren, Emilie and Sierra Thell; 12 great-grandchildren,  Ann and Rachel Loncorich, Lucy and Natalie Thell, Corey Laird, Julianne and William Frank, Henry Weckman, and Monica, Gina, Zac and Nolan Padrnos; sisters, Esther Hansen of Camarillo, Calif., and Anna (Alfred) Schneck of Sedona, Ariz.; brothers, Wilbert (Francis) Trautmann of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Alvin (Esther) Trautmann of Littleton, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Rose Westerholm of Riverton, Wyo., Donna Loncorich of Brownton and Francis Loncorich of Stewart; as well as many nieces and nephews, relatives and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Loncorich; parents, Karl and Bertha Trautmann; sister, Martha (Don) Asplund; daughter-in-law, Beatrice Loncorich; and brother-in-law, Les Hansen.
Memorials are preferred to First Congregational United Church of Christ, Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary or Allina Health and Hospice Care Services.
Arrangements were with the Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.