Louis A. Loes, MD

Louis Augustine Loes, MD, age 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Visitation will be Monday, January 23rd from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Daniel Funeral Home and from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm on Tuesday at the church. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 24th at 12:30 pm at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 1125 North 11th Avenue, St. Cloud, MN. He will be laid to rest at Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum.
Lou was the son of an Iowa farmer. He was born August 19, 1923 to August and Theresa Loes in Key West, Iowa. He graduated valedictorian from St. Columbkilles High School, Dubuque, Iowa. Lou completed his premedical studies at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. As he was the only son of a farmer, Lou could have deferred serving in World War II but chose instead to be drafted. He was sent to Camp Barkeley, Texas to be trained as an army field medic. One day when out in the field, he was summoned to his 1st Sergeant and given sealed orders not to be opened until he was on the train to his next assignment. Great news, his prayers were answered! The orders were to report to the University of Iowa Medical School. Lou received his medical degree in March of 1947.
Lou married his high school sweetheart Mary Joan (Thompson) August 31st, 1946 at St. Columbkilles Church, Dubuque. Following a medical internship at Cincinnati General Hospital, Ohio (where he personally delivered 14 of the 19 babies born in a single day, a record) and a three year OB/GYN residency at Crittenton General Hospital, Detroit, MI 1947-1951, another surprise letter from Uncle Sam arrived. Either volunteer for the Korean War or be drafted. He chose to volunteer as an Air Force doctor and served several years at Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, Kansas as Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Chief of Surgery.
After discharge from the Air Force, Lou had a vision of a medical center that would take care of both women and children. He founded the first longstanding OB/GYN practice in St. Cloud: Women and Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Loes practiced in St. Cloud from 1953-1988. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Life Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Louis and Joan raised six children: Peter, MD OB/GYN, Michael (Lauren) MD Internal Medicine/Addiction/Pain Management, Nancy (Paul) DVM, Daniel (Corie) MD Neuroradiologist, Mary Lou, RN, CPNP, and Cheryl, Juris Doctorate. Lou is survived by the love of his life, Joan, five children, nineteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his dear sister Kathleen Carlin. Lou was predeceased by son Peter and sisters Helen Hartman and Mary Jane Seipp.
Lou loved to travel with Joan. Growing orchids was an early passion; corsages were plentiful. In his retirement years, he became an accomplished woodworker and delighted in sharing his enjoyment of fishing with his grandchildren. His favorite saying, which his family loved to hear, was “I’m so glad you came to live at our house!”
Dr. Louis A. Loes: husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, doctor will be missed by all, but always remembered with love in the hearts of all who knew him, from patients to colleagues to friends and family. His legacy, which will live on forever in his many descendants, is one of perseverance, determination and no regrets, only gratitude, for a life well lived and greatly blessed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Birthright International (birthright.org, 1-800-550-4900) or the donor’s favorite charity.