He was born on July 31, 1920 on the family homestead in Park City, Mont., the sixth of 11 children to Conrad & Elizabeth (Busch) Lofing. He grew up in Park City attending school and helping on the family farm until he went to work at the Northern Pacific Railroad in laurel, Montana from 1938 until 1942.
Fred entered the Army on July 18, 1942 receiving his training at Fort Douglas, Utah, Camp Barkeley, Texas, and Fort Bliss, Texas. He entered the South Pacific Theatre of Operation January 8, 1944 and was stationed in Luzon and New Guinea for 21 ½ months. He served in the medical corps, field artillery and engineering where he was in charge of building the base hospital. He received numerous medals for his service in the South Pacific. Fred returned to the United States on December 25, 1945 and was discharged as a Master Sergeant at Fort Lewis, Washington on Jan. 6, 1946.
Fred married Mary Sprankle on March 5, 1946. To this union they had two children, Dennis and Sandy. Fred and Mary farmed in Billings and later moved to Park City where they also farmed. His sugar beets were his pride and joy and he received the award from the sugar beet factory for the best beets in the area. Just awhile back he mentioned that he wondered if the weather was holding out in Billings so the farmers could get in their sugar beet harvest. Once a farmer, always a farmer.
Fred and Mary divorced in 1964 and in 1967 Fred married Mary Davis and became stepdad to Paulette, Starla, Larry, Don, and Sandy. Fred and Mary (Davis) moved to Lavina, Mont., where he was a rancher and later on worked for the Golden Valley County road department until his retirement. He continued to do field work for a local rancher in Lavina well into his 80s until he could no longer get up into the tractor because of severe joint problems.
After the passing of his second wife, he continued to live by himself until the age of 92 when he moved to Hermiston to be with his two children.
Fred had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing and he always had to bet on who would catch the biggest fish. He also enjoyed playing cards and our family get-togethers.
Daddy, the suffering has finally ended and now you are at peace. We will save your place at the card table and always think of your smile at the big fish we brought in and your laughter at the ones that got away.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Mary Radcliffe and Mary Davis Lofing; two half-brothers, Henry and Coney; siblings: Marie, Lydia, Alex, Peter, Mollie, Herman, Esther, John – who was killed in World War II only miles from where Fred was stationed – and Donna.
He is survived by his son, Dennis Lofing, Hermiston; daughter, Sandy Hunter and husband Steve, Hermiston; sisters, Rosaline (Rosie) Billings, Mont., and Johanna (Joan), Columbus, Mont.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you to nephew Gary, who always thought so much of Dad and helped him out in his later years.
A celebration of life service was held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
Private burial was held at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Those who wish may make contributions in Fred’s memory to Pet Rescue in care of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston at P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
Please sign the condolence book and view the full obituary at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
