Wilfred "Bill' Loebig Jr.

Wilfred “Bill” Loebig Jr. joined his wife Margie in heaven on April 19, 2026 at the age of 90. In the weeks before he passed away, he lived with the same abiding trust in God that marked his entire life, frequently speaking of the many blessings he’d received and how certain he was of God’s love for him even in spite of the mystery of so much suffering.

His wake is scheduled for Friday, May 8, beginning with the Rosary at 4:30pm and ending with a time of remembrance and sharing about Bill at Porter Loring Mortuary North. The funeral Mass will be held at 12:45 pm, on Saturday, May 9, at St. Pius Catholic Church, followed by a reception at Porter Loring Mortuary North. Bill asked that guests wear bright colors to celebrate his transition to heaven. Interment will be private and Bill will be buried with full military honors beside his beloved Margie at Resurrection Cemetery at Cordi Marian.

Bill was born Wilfred Francis Loebig Jr. in Wesley, IA to Faye Maxine McMurray and Wilfred “Bill” Loebig Sr. on February 3, 1936, in a home heated by coal stove and without an icebox or refrigeration. His father, Bill Sr., graduated 8th grade and ran his own gas delivery company, transporting fuel to local farms. His mother, Faye, graduated high school and managed the books for the small business. The first of 5 boys, Bill grew up in a lively and loving home where faith and hard work were modeled as holy givens.

He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School through 8th grade, then Wesley High School, received straight As at Loras College, and eventually went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Iowa. While working at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, over a fateful game of table tennis, he fell for a vivacious nursing student named Margie (Margaret Schmitz Loebig), who would become the love of his life. They married in Westphalia, IA on October 6, 1960.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1960 and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 832nd Tactical Hospital Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, working as a Registrar, before being promoted to First Lieutenant and honorably discharged in October 1963.

He dedicated his life to serving others, working for decades as CEO of Timken Mercy Medical Center (Canton, OH), President of St. Elizabeth Hospital (Appleton, WI), and ultimately President and CEO of Wheaton Franciscan Services (Wheaton, IL), which was sponsored by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, and directly served the poor in IL, WI, IA, and CO in over 100 hospitals, affordable housing communities, and service organizations. Bill was known for his approachability and supportive leadership style–getting to know custodians as well as the doctors and administrative staff of hospitals where he worked. Those who worked alongside him knew him as a conscientious and beloved leader who led with compassion and never spoke an unkind word about or to anyone.

After Bill retired, the family moved to McAllen, TX and later found a home away from home in Bailey, Colorado. They eventually moved to San Antonio, where Bill served in the RCIA, the Knights of Columbus, and as a Eucharistic and Liturgical minister at his home parish with Margie until she passed away in 2015.

Later, in 2023, he moved to a Catholic senior living community where he attended daily Mass, enjoyed occasional Mahjong, nightly swimming, and any excuse to dance. He served as Treasurer and Parliamentarian of the Resident Council and as an official Ambassador – welcoming visitors as well as new residents into the community with disarming charm. He loved the Catholic Church, frequently decried the state of a healthcare system that could not provide universal health care for everyone, and felt called to alleviate the suffering of the poor by sharing the wealth that he’d been given.

Yet his greatest legacy was his family, “the long line of love” held dear by Margie, and evidenced in his daily Mass intentions “for my children and grandchildren” and his faithful ministry of encouragement through countless birthday, anniversary cards, Mass offerings, and newspaper clippings to friends and family throughout the years. He was an affectionate and generous father whose steady presence and attentive listening were sought out by many children and grandchildren. His quiet radiant joy spoke of his genuine faith and a life well lived.

Bill is survived by 4 brothers—Craig, David, Gary, and Randy and 11 children including son Skip Loebig, his wife Heidi Loebig and their two children; son Brian Loebig, his wife Nicole Carter Loebig and their three children; daughter Mary Loebig Giles, her husband Tom Giles and their two children; daughter Margaret Boyd, her husband Damon Boyd and their four children, daughter Maria Loebig, her husband Brad Haberle and their two children; son Blaise Loebig and his four children; daughter Abigail Loebig and her three children; son Levi Loebig; daughter AnnaLiese Loebig; son Alex Loebig and his child; and daughter Micaylah Loebig and her two children.

Donations may be made to Bill’s favorite charity: Cross Catholic International at https://crosscatholic.org/donate.

To view the livestream service on Friday, May 8, please click: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c26053471300451