Lorne John Loeppky

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LORNE JOHN LOEPPKY
February 16, 1964 - August 11, 2015

Lorne John Loeppky was born Feburary 16, 1964 in Steinbach Manitoba to Cornie and Elizabeth Loeppky of Touround, Manitoba. Lorne is survived by his loving wife Ruth, three daughters Marie, Jane, Kate and his son Craig. He is also survived by his mother, Elizabeth Loeppky, three sisters, Lorraine and Charlie Edwards, Carol Beauchemin and friend Gerald, Sandra and Doug Redekop and their families. In addition he is survived by his father-in-law Cornie Wiebe, Ruth’s family of four sisters, Dorothy and Rick Braun, Gladys and Dan Vanson, Angela and John Teichroeb, Myrna and Mike Palleschi and one brother Gerald and Patty Wiebe and their families. Lorne was predeceased by his father Cornie Loeppky and his mother-in-law Dora Wiebe.

Lorne was raised on the family farm near Touround and completed his elementary and high school in Niverville. As Lorne grew up, farming was a big part of his life. He was a member of the Touround 4H sugar beet club and later became a club leader. At the age of 12 Lorne began his custom combining career in the US mid-west. He enjoyed being with animals, from the beef cattle in Ridgeville, to raising hogs in Touround and riding horses at home. During his teen to adult years he enjoyed motorcycles, snowmobiles, waterskiing and bare-foot skiing, snow skiing and hot holidays.

In 1988, Lorne met the love of his life, Ruth Wiebe from Altona at a 4H sugar beet achievement night. He would always say “if you can’t ‘beet’ them join them”

Lorne and Ruth were married on February 8, 1992 in Altona. They started their married life in Winnipeg while Ruth finished her Ag degree and Lorne continued to work on the farm. They bought his parents homestead in 1996.

Together they had four children, Elizabeth Marie born October 20, 1994, Dora Jane born February 5, 1996, Craig Allen John born July 31, 1997, and Kate Leanne was born April 13, 2000 on her mom’s birthday.

They shared a passion for farming, spending countless hours planning and working together. Lorne loved working with his wife by his side and later with their children.

Lorne was very involved in the Sugar Beet Industry. When that ended, his love for row cropping transitioned into growing corn. Lorne loved the challenge of the corn yield competition. He took his role very seriously as one of the directors of the Manitoba Corn Growers Association. Lorne took pride in always being up to date on current farming practices and technology.

Lorne enjoyed camping and boating with his family and friends. He had abundance of patience teaching his children, nieces and nephews how to knee board and water ski. Lorne spent many hours towing them around the lake.

Together they loved to take family trips. Two of their favourite vacation destinations were Florida and Mexico. A big highlight for Lorne was when the whole Loeppky family was able to spend a week together in Mexico. This was even more special because he was able to surprise his mother with the plane ticket for Christmas, leaving her one week notice to departure.

As a family, they enjoyed Christmas tree cutting every December, Lee River fireworks July long weekend and birthday dinners at a restaurant of the kids choice.

As a father Lorne wanted to be involved in every aspect of his children’s lives be it soccer, volleyball, snowmobiling, skiing or snowboarding, 4H horse activities or sitting in on dreaded violin, piano and guitar recitals. His children were the joy of his life.

Lorne loved life, he loved the Lord, his wife and family, hard work, fast machines and the colour green and yellow.

He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and neighbours.

Lorne was larger than life.

As published in The Carillon on Aug 18, 2015