Loretta M. Block

Loretta M. Block, 85, of Fond du Lac passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the Hospice Home of Hope. Loretta was formally from Eveleth, MN and then Rogers and Bella Vista Arkansas. 



She was born Dec. 20, 1931 in Rapid River, MN, the daughter of the late William and Rose (Gus) Menke. 



She spent her early years living in Baudette, MN graduating in 1949 from Baudette High School. 



At a young age she began taking piano lessons and enjoyed this talent her entire life. 



In her teenage years she became the piano player for a local band called Tony’s Swingsters. 



They played in several northern Minnesota town dancehalls. 



This is where she met her husband Duane, who played the saxophone. 



On October 4, 1949, Loretta married Duane H. Block in northern Minnesota. 



Duane (Babe) and Loretta were married 63 years. 



Together they had one son, William, who died at birth. 



William was followed by five sisters, Cynthia 



Loretta gave piano lessons to many children in the Eveleth area when her own children were young and still at home. 



Later on she completed the LPN program at the Eveleth Area Technical School and worked for 15 years at the Virginia Municipal Hospital in Virginia, MN. 



Upon retirement she and Duane moved to a warmer climate and made Arkansas their home for 25 years. 



In 2012 Loretta moved to Wisconsin to be closer to her daughters. 



Loretta was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 2011. 



When he passed, a part of her went with him. 



Also preceding her in death were her son, parents, sisters Lorraine McArthur and Valeria (Peachy) Latimer Block and a brother David Menke. 



She is survived by her five daughters, 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, one brother James (Verna) Menke, two sisters: 



Lucille Ninneman and Mary (Leo) Charlton, nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. 



Loretta had many interests and hobbies. 



She was an excellent cook, baker, and seamstress. 



She spent many hours sewing quilts for her family. 



She and Duane enjoyed traveling. 



She belonged to the Catholic Daughters when she lived in Eveleth. 



She and Duane were members of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Eveleth and St. Bernard’s Parish in Bella Vista, Arkansas. 



Visitation is 1:00 PM with Mass to follow at 2:00 PM on Saturday September 9th, 2017 at the St. Francis Chapel at 31 Everett Street in Fond du Lac. 



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Agnesian Hospice Home of Hope or St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, WI in Loretta’s name. 



The Twohig Funeral Home of Fond du Lac is serving the family with the arrangements with online guestbook and condolences atwww.twohigfunerals.com