by Dennis Dalman
The last name “Loso” is practically synonymous with “St. Joseph.” In fact, its first settler was a Loso, so it was so appropriate one of the many Losos – Andy Loso and wife Lisa – were grand marshals in last Sunday’s Fourth of July Parade in St. Joseph.
Loso is only 47 years old. In an interview with the Newsleaders, he said when he heard he and Lisa were named by the St. Joseph Lions to be Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals, he thought somebody must be pulling his leg or putting some kind of mischievous hex on him.
“Hey, I’m only 47, they youngest marshal ever,” said Loso, who possesses a keen deadpan humor. “Grand marshals are usually old people, a lot older than 47. Can’t help wonder, does this mean I won’t have long left to live?”
In conversation, Loso likes to play cat-and-mouse. He can turn from dead serious to laughter in a split second.
When asked what he does for a living, he said “As little as possible.” Then he chuckled and said, “I’m the facilities manager for the (St. Joseph Catholic) church.”
When asked how he enjoyed riding in a 1925 Model T truck and passing the throngs of people waving from the curbsides, Loso said, “Oh, it was wonderful. Hot and sweaty. I waved back at them, and I saw so many people we knew. Practically all of them.”
Loso was born in San Diego, California, son of Terry, a U.S. Navy man; and his wife, Linda (Zinken) Loso. He moved to St. Joseph when he was only about 3 months old. After attending Catholic grade school in St. Joseph, he graduated from Apollo High School, then earned a degree in theology from St. John’s University.
“That degree came in handy now and then for my work with the church. Theology gave me a good background.”
Lisa is employed by the CentraCare health-care system in St. Cloud. The couple has three children: Joseph, 18; Jack, 16; and Kathryn, 10.
Loso’s hobby is working on and restoring Model T vehicles.
“That Model T truck we rode in for the parade – that’s one of our own vehicles,” he said.
Loso said that riding in the parade (young as he is at ONLY 47), brought back so many good old memories about his youth in St. Joseph, of all the previous Fourth of July parades, of the many church festivals held annually on the Fourth and of all the people he’s known so long in the city he loves.
Loso and wife Lisa hope they can live many more years so they can enjoy many, many more St. Joseph Fourth of July celebrations.
Grand Marshal Andy Loso waves to fans and well-wishers during the Fourth of July Parade in St. Joseph. The Model T truck he is riding in is his own vehicle. His hobby is restoring Model T’s. Loso is the facilities manager for the St. Joseph Catholic Church.