Loras Drilling

Monday, May 22, 2017 4:04 pm

Loras Drilling, 79, of St. Lucas, died Monday, May 15, 2017, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., with family by his side. Mass of Cjristian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 22, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Kyle Digmann officiating. Mass servers were Shayla and Rory Kuennen. Cross bearer was Sayler Drilling. Organist was Kathy Meyer. Cantor was Don DiLaura. Special music was “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” St. Luke’s Choir sang “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Prayer of St. Frances,” “Peace is Flowing Like a River” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Lector was Dave Drilling. Eucharistic ministers were Karla Langreck, Clair Dietzenbach, Janel Kuennen and Darlene Schwamman. Offertory gift bearers were Samantha Gage, Nicole Winter, Paige Rustad and Emily Busta. Urn bearers were Alex Rustad, Michael Drilling, Ryan Busta, Eric Drilling, Evan Drilling, Brad Winter, Morgan Gage, Brennan Busta and Carson Busta. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Loras Earl Drilling was born March 23, 1938, the son of Earl Sr. and Velma (Jarosh) Drilling in New Hampton. He graduated from St. Luke’s Catholic High School. Loras enlisted in the United States Army after graduation where he served in the 82nd Airborne. He married Joyce Croatt June 4, 1963, at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. They were blessed with five children: Bev, Brian, Tom, Laura and Greg. Loras began tiling and farming after he was discharged from the Army. He owned and operated Loras Drilling and Sons Tiling and Excavating for 60 years. Loras enjoyed fishing, gardening, planting trees and baking after he retired. He loved his trips to Roberds Lake in Fairbault, Minn., where he and Joyce would spend time with their family. Loras was a member of the Aloysius Schmitt American Legion Post No. 691, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Luke’s Catholic Church.

Loras is survived by his five children and spouses: Bev (Gary) Rustad of Decorah, Brian (Kelli) Drilling of St. Lucas, Tom (Chris) Drilling of St. Lucas, Laura (Steve) Busta of Fort Atkinson and Greg (Jess) Drilling of Waucoma; 13 grandchildren: Alex Rustad (Fiancée Jackie Tursso) of Rogers, Minn., Paige Rustad of La Crosse, Wis., Samantha (Morgan) Gage of Waucoma, Michael Drilling of St. Lucas, Eric and Evan Drilling of St. Lucas, Nicole (Brad) Winter of Protivin, Ryan, Emily, and Carson Busta of Fort Atkinson, Sayler, Brennan, and Ella Drilling of Waucoma; two great-granddaughters, Haven and Dailyn Gage; mother-in-law, Leona Croatt, Decorah; brothers and sisters and spouses: Darlyn Schmitt, Waucoma Earl Jr. and Kathleen Drilling, Waucoma; Audrey Drilling, St. Lucas, Susie Pederson, Hastings, Minn. and Jack and Sue Drilling, Decorah; brother-in-law, Victor (Mary) Croatt, St. Lucas.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Joyce May 3, 2017; father and mother, Earl Sr. and Velma Drilling; father-in-law, Linus Croatt; brother, Daryl Drilling; brother-in-law, Luke Schmitt; nephew, Robert Croatt.