by Dennis Dalman
A loving husband and father, a dedicated firefighter, a Model-T hobbyist, a passionate city and church volunteer, a deadpan humorist.
Those are just some of the phrases used to describe the late Andy L. Loso of St. Joseph, to whom the St. Joseph Fourth of July Festival was dedicated. Praises for Loso were given from the stage of the Joetown Rocks concert the evening of July 3.
Loso was only 42 when he died on Nov. 23, 2021 of complications from an infection by the Covid-19 virus at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Loso was practically the embodiment of all of the qualities that make St. Joseph such an admirable city: strong faith, civic-mindedness, a no-nonsense work ethic, a down-to-earth approach to living, close-knit families, an ever-ready willingness to help others, a determination to get a job done well and a roll-up-the-sleeves volunteerism.
Loso was born in San Diego on June 22, 1979, the son of Terry and Linda (Salzer) Loso. The family moved to St. Joseph when Andy was only 3 months old. After attending St. Joseph Catholic School, he graduated from Apollo High School in St. Cloud, then went on to earn a degree in theology from St. John’s University.
For almost 20 years, Loso (Captain Loso) was a member of the fire department and he loved to teach children fire-safety information during the annual Fire Prevention Week.
Last year, Loso was chosen to be grand marshal of the St. Joseph Fourth of July parade – at 41 the youngest grand marshal in that parade’s long history. In the parade he rode in one of his very own restored Model-Ts, which were one of his lifelong passions.
After Loso died so unexpectedly less than a year after the parade, Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags to be flown at half-mast. Walz released the following statement:
“Captain Loso was a dedicated firefighter who was respected by his family, friends and colleagues. With its deepest gratitude, the State of Minnesota recognizes Captain Loso for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow Minnesotans, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and community.”
Loso was the quintessential community volunteer and was never happier when doing work that needed to be done for the benefit of others. He worked tirelessly at the fire department, for the local historical society, in the Catholic Church and the St. Joseph Cemetery Association and as facilities manager for the St. Joseph Catholic School.
He was a member of many organizations, including the T Totalers (Model-T car enthusiasts club) and the Albany Pioneer Club.
Very much family-oriented, Loso loved taking his children to the Stearns County Fair’s Demolition Derby, listening to polka music, playing board games and listening to his daughter play piano.
He was a widely recognized master of restoring Model-T’s and extremely knowledgeable about a wide range of machines, including the threshing machines during Albany Pioneer Days.
All who knew Loso relished his unique humor, and he could keep people rollicking with laughter. In his obituary, that humor was described like this: “He will be remembered for his smart-aleck remarks, quick wit and great one-liners.”
The three great guiding forces in his life, friends often said, were “Family, Church, Community.”
Loso was interred in the St. Joseph Cemetery, a place he cared so much about and worked so hard for during his life.
Loso is survived by his wife of 20 years, Lisa; their three children: Joseph, Jack and Katie; and by countless friends.
Grand Marshal Andy Loso waved to well-wishers at the St. Joseph Fourth of July Festival parade in 2021. The Model T he was riding in is one of many that he restored himself.
Andy Loso
