Michael Keith "Lefty" Loeffler, 64, of Paxton, Nebraska passed away on August 22, 2023, at the Imperial Manor.
Mike was born on March 9, 1959 at La Junat, Colorado to Stanley and Merle (Goodrich) Loeffler. He attended Cheraw Schools in Cheraw, Colorado before moving to Grant, Nebraska going into this Junior year of high school, and graduated from Grant High School with the Class of 1977. Right out of school, he began working at Midwest Electric. He started as a janitor, working his way up through the lineman training, and eventually became the manager of the Paxton, Nebraska branch.
On February 16, 1980, he married Beverly "Susie" Lee at the Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with two children: son, Justin, and daughter, Jennifer. While his friends early in life always knew him as Mike, he would eventually garner a nickname with such staying power that most only knew him by Lefty. He and his wife eventually purchased the bar in Wallace, Nebraska, which would appropriately be called "Lefty's," and ran it together until 1990 while Lefty continued working for Midwest Electric.
Following the end of his first marriage, Lefty continued to work for Midwest Electric. He eventually met Dana Langmacher, and on October 10, 1992, the two were married at Paxton, Nebraska. They made their home south of town, where Lefty immensely enjoyed farm life. The two were blessed with twins: a daughter, Cheyanne, and a son, Jordan.
Lefty was a great guy, and everyone loved him. He was seemingly a friend to everyone and was reliably a great time to be around. His personable nature and humor had a way of drawing people to him or him to people.
Everywhere he went, Lefty was an active contributor to the community. From involvement in Optimists, 4th of July Display, Fundraisers, Fall Festivals, and special fundraising projects for high school athletics, Lefty always had a passion for people and his community.
Lefty loved to fish, camp, and farm. He had a great love for his family, and his grandkids added such a rich dimension to his life. His dog, Otto, also held a special place in his life. Lefty had a consuming love for Husker Football and left little tolerance for opposing fandom. His allegiance to the New Orleans Saints was only permissible because the two teams competed in different leagues.
Lefty had a love for music, especially tunes from the 70's and 80's. He was resourceful: there wasn't much Lefty couldn't fix with duct tape, silicone spray, or, if the situation was grave enough, JB Weld. Lefty had a quirkiness that made his loved ones grin, affectionately known for his avid use of Sharpies and sticky notes.
In the end, Lefty made a great mark on the world he left behind, from cherished memories and stories to all the people wearing big smiles and Husker Red. Rest in peace, Lefty.
Lefty was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Loeffler; Uncle William and Aunt Edna Shoaf and Aunt Dorthy Roberts, and Uncle Blaine Clark; and his father-in-law, Donald Langmacher.
Survivors include his wife, Dana, of Paxton, Nebraska; children, Justin (Kelly) Loeffler of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jennifer (Jade) Reimers of Torrington, Wyoming, Cheyanne (Jathan) Loeffler of Omaha, Nebraska, and Jordan (Gabby) Loeffler of Paxton, Nebraska; grandchildren, Isabelle, Taven, Hayden, and Harper; his mother, Merle Loeffler of Grant, Nebraska; brother, Steve (Chris) Loeffler of Grant, Nebraska; sister, Sonja Loeffler of Kearney, Nebraska; aunt, Virginia Clark of Colorado Springs, Colorado; mother-in-law, Marcia Langmacher of Paxton, Nebraska; along with many nieces, nephews, friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Imperial Manor Nursing Home or Great Western Sky Nursing Home project in Grant, Nebraska.
Services will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. MST at New Hope Church in Ogallala, Nebraska with Pastor Don Larreau officiating. Husker game day gear is encouraged. Interment will be in the Paxton Cemetery in Paxton, Nebraska. Following the burial, a memorial tailgate party will be held in Lefty's honor at the Public Park in Paxton, Nebraska.
Visitation will be on Monday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. MST at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.