Milo S. Loftus

Deerfield- Milo S. Loftus, age 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2009 at HospiceCare Inc. in Fitchburg.   Milo was born on July 17, 1917.  He was the son of Knut and Anna (Torblo) Loftus.  Milo married Dorothy Sunne on May 6, 1945.   Milo graduated from Stoughton High School in 1935.  He continued his education at Stoughton Vocational School and UW-Madison.   Milo was employed at Brittingham and Hixon Lumber Company in Stoughton and later at F. Smith Company in Freeport, IL.  For 32 years he was the manager of Brittingham and Hixon Lumber Company in Deerfield and retired in 1982.   During World War II Milo was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army.  He was with Headquarter Company 3rd Battalion 41st Infantry Division.  Milo served 38 of his 48 months in the combat zone in New Guinea where he was awarded the Bronze Star.   Milo was a member of Deerfield Lutheran Church where he served on the Church Council and Board.  He also served on the Deerfield Village Board and was a member of the Planning Commission.  Milo was also a member and officer of the Deerfield American Legion Post 260 and the VFW Post #924.  For 56 years he was a member of the Deerfield Lions Club.  There he received an award for his Distinguished Achievements in Leadership and Service.  Milo and his Lions Club Board introduced the first Post Prom Party.   Milo was also a member of the Deerfield Historical Society and the Sons of Norway Mandt Lodge 5-314.  He was the first Cub Scout Den Master in Deerfield.  In 1984, Milo was chosen Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his dedication to the community.   When Milo retired, he and Dorothy spent winters in Tucson and summers at their cottage at Swan Lake in Portage.   The Loftus' traveled extensively, visiting all of the States, Canada, Europe, Morocco, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Scandinavian countries including the Loftus ancestral home in Telemark, Norway.   For their 50th wedding anniversary, Milo and Dorothy chose to celebrate their faith by designing and donating two stained glass windows for the church bell tower.  The windows beautifully illuminate Deerfield Lutheran Church every evening.   Milo was an avid fisherman.  His numerous trips included a salmon fishing expedition to Alaska.  He was also an accomplished woodcarver.   Milo is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Dorothy; sons, Michael (Kate) Loftus of Janesville and Mark (Barb) Loftus of Sun Prairie; daughters, Melanie Loftus of Brookfield and Melinda (Kent) Ashland of Bloomington, MN; two sisters, Arline Quandahl of Stoughton and Dolores Johnson of Plymouth, MN.   Milo was blessed with seven grandchildren, Marty, Carrie, Alex, Nick, Kris, Matt and Jill; and two great grandchildren, Connor and Dylan.   Milo was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Kennerd and Obert.   Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 24, 2009 at Deerfield Lutheran Church, 206 S. Main Street, with Rev. Larry Sexe officiating.  Burial, with full Military Honors, will follow in Deerfield Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in Deerfield.  Memorials preferred to Deerfield Lutheran Church or to HospiceCare Inc. in Fitchburg.   Milo was a gentleman with a warm smile and a kind heart.  He was highly respected for his character and integrity.  Milo was a loving husband, father and friend, who will be deeply missed.