August (Gus) Lootens

August Arthur Lootens was born on April 2, 1918, in Nordland Township to Cyriel and Marie (DeGraeve) Lootens. He grew up in rural Minneota and attended District 24 Country School. On November 25, 1941, Gus was united in marriage to Doris Kompelien at St. Edward Catholic Church. Gus was drafted into the U.S. Army on May 25, 1942. He served in the European Theater during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he returned to farm and raised his family in rural Minneota and Porter. In 1973, he retired from farming and the couple moved to Minneota. Gus worked for the United Building Center lumber yard and the City of Minneota. He enjoyed gardening, dancing, fishing, bowling and shaking dice. Gus loved to visit and especially enjoyed a good story. He was most passionate about time spent with his family. Gus was a proud, 67 year member of the American Legion Post 199 and served as an usher at St. Edward Catholic Church. He died on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at the Minneota Manor in Minneota. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Minneota, children Donald (and Marge) Lootens of Valley Springs, SD, Elaine (and Leon) Kack of Minneota, Patricia (and Harold) DeSmet of Minneota, Betty (and Jeff) Winkels of Canby, 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyriel and Marie, sisters Alice and Margaret, one great-grandson and one great-grandson.