LORETTA LUELLA (WALKER) MOSER
Sept. 24, 1929–Feb. 23, 2019
Loretta Luella (Walker) Moser passed away Feb. 23, 2019, at Chateau Living, Lake San Marcos, Calif. She was 89 years old.
Loretta was born on Sept. 24, 1929, to Samuel and Christina (Oswald) Walker in Selfridge, N.D., where her father owned the local hardware store. In 1934, the family moved to Lodi, Calif. The move was short-lived as Loretta’s father died of pneumonia in 1935 at the young age of 32. The remaining family moved back to Hazelton, N.D., where tragedy struck again. In 1942, her mother passed away at the age of 38, leaving eight children. These circumstances made it necessary for the children to be separated. They lived with various people, finding work and shelter wherever they could — enduring many hardships on their journeys to adulthood.
Loretta moved to McLaughlin, S.D., with her brother, Reinhold, after he had married. While living in McLaughlin, she found a job at Martha’s Café, where she met her future husband, Clarence Edward “Doc” Moser. They married on Oct. 6, 1947, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLaughlin. Doc owned Doc’s Trucking and hauled cattle and grain to Sioux City, Iowa. Loretta would accompany him
on these trips and share the driving responsibilities. During their years together they owned several businesses, including the Corner Bar in McLaughlin and a farm in Walker, S.D., where they raised Black Angus cows and farmed wheat, flax and oats.
When the couple moved to Sturgis, S.D., they purchased the Ritz Bar (now known as the Fireside). In 1963, they moved to Newcastle, Wyo., where they owned and operated the Bronco Bar, Mary Ann Drive-In, and Doc’s Supper Club. In 1975, the family moved back to Sturgis, and, once again, bought the Fireside Bar. They later built the Silver Dollar Lounge in Spearfish, S.D., selling it in 1982. Loretta and her husband also formed Hills Vending in Sturgis.
Loretta’s family was her priority. She loved fashion and was known as “Foxy Grandma” as well as the family “Skip-Bo” Queen. She made wonderful roast beef dinners and pies that were adored by all. Loretta created beautiful needlepoint designs on tea towels and would generously give them away. She loved her yard — full of pine trees that she and “Doc” had planted 40 years ago. She continually battled the deer that loved eating the flowers she had so lovingly nurtured and grown, but still loved seeing them lying under the trees on her lawn.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, The Knit Wits, and the Senior Center in Sturgis.
Loretta is survived by three children, Pamela (Bill) Clarkson of San Marcos, Jeff Moser of Sturgis, and Paula Siebrandt of Cave Creek, Ariz.; a brother, Sam Walker of Lincoln, Neb.; and sisters, Violet (Bill) Anderson of Sturgis, Louise Linner of Nasha, Mont., and Luella Stegeman of Wilmar, Minn. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Russell (Kassandra) Moser of Altamont, Utah, Justin (Marissa) Moser of Roosevelt, Utah, Lorren (Jason) Timothy of Altamont, Utah, Lauri Terrell of Lincoln, Ross Moser of Trapper Creek, Alaska, Jennifer (Doug) Freeling of San Marcos, Haley Moser of Carlsbad, Calif., Jesse Collins of Phoenix, Ariz., and Zackary Siebrandt of Cave Creek; and great-grandchildren, Auri and Brock Timothy and Brooklyn, Presley, and Madison Moser, all of Altamont, Bryce and Grace Moser of Roosevelt, Tiana Terrell, TresaLeigh Terrell of Lincoln, TyLia Angeney of Gillette, Wyo., and Carson and Luke Freeling of San Marcos.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, C.E. “Doc”
Moser; a son, James Allen Moser; her parents; brothers, Leo Walker, Reinhold Walker, and Edward Walker; and a sister, Lavina Opp.
A celebration of Loretta’s life will take place May 24, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis, with Pastor Kris Garlick officiating. Inurnment will follow the service at Bear Butte Cemetery.
Should friends or family wish to donate in Loretta’s memory, please consider Grace Lutheran Church, 1061 Sherman St., Sturgis, SD 57785.
Condolences may be sent to the family at kinkadefunerals.com.
ating. Inurnment will follow the service at Bear Butte Cemetery.
Should friends or family wish to donate in Loretta’s memory, please consider Grace Lutheran Church, 1061 Sherman St., Sturgis, SD 57785.
Condolences may be sent to the family at kinkadefunerals.com.