Loretta Anna Oetjen

Loretta Anna Oetjen was born on September 7, 1913 to George and Lillie Siekman Oetjen in Blue Island, IL. She graduated from Blue Island High School and from the University of Chicago. Loretta was confirmed in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Blue Island and was a lifetime member of that church. In 1943 she began her years of professional teaching at the elementary school in the Blue Island area. She also taught at Northpark Junior College, her last position before retirement was as librarian at Thornton township High school for 19 years. Loretta retired in 1978. She was a member of several professional organizations in the educational field and enjoyed travel with friends during her teaching years. Her keen memory has enabled her to remember many of her students and the teachers with whom she taught. She also remembers her times when as a young girl her grandmother took her downtown to Chicago by train to theatre and musical programs. Loretta has loved books and reading all of her life and has been an inveterate reader of many books and magazines of finance. In 1998 she moved to Albert Lea and has been a resident of Thorne Crest Retirement Center. Survivors include her brother and sister-in-law, George and Winifred Oetjen, also of Thorne Crest; nieces Christine Oetjen, Johnson City, TN, Penny Herickhoff, Mankato, Rebecca Patrick Keenan, Fridley, MN, and Dr. Kathy Oetjen, Fond du Lac, WI; nephew, Eric Chhaya Rao Oetjen of Washinton D.C.; grand nephews and a grand niece. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents; a cousin, Charles Oetjen; and nephew, Dr. Brian Oetjen. Loretta's keen mind and gracious bearing drew people to her making her a special friend to many.