D. Mark Lochner, MD, age 67, of Waupaca, WI, loving husband to Catherine (Thomas) Lochner and amazing father to his five children, died peacefully after a courageous four year battle with ALS on Monday, February 10, in his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born on November 15, 1946 in Prairie du Chien, WI, son of Donald and Norma (Saunders) Lochner, the second eldest of twelve children. He graduated from Campion Jesuit High School in 1964. He attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, graduating in 1968. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison School of Medicine followed by a three year residency in Family Medicine, also in Madison. He fell in love with Waupaca during a 1974 visit and he and his wife Cathy decided to make it their home in 1975. He was a founding partner of Waupaca Family Medicine Associates which later affiliated with ThedaCare. He was a beloved family physician, respected by his patients and colleagues for his compassionate care and devotion to his profession. Toward the end of his career, he shifted his focus to geriatrics and worked as the Medical Director at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, WI. He served on the board of Riverside Medical Center for many years.

He loved ice hockey and was a founding member of the Waupaca Area Youth Hockey Association. He spent countless hours building and maintaining ice rinks, coaching and refereeing. Annually, he made an ice rink in his own back yard which his family and all the neighborhood children enjoyed year after year. He loved spending time outdoors and was passionate about preserving Wisconsin’s natural resources. He helped establish and manage multiple tree farms across the state.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of almost 44 years, Cathy and their five children: Dr. Jennifer (Steven Winchester) Lochner, Paula (Daniel) Gray, Sarah (Frederick) Schachinger, Mark Lochner and Joseph Lochner; eight grandchildren: Zoe Winchester, Theo Winchester, Adam Gray, Maria Gray, Stella Gray, Regina Schachinger, Frederick Schachinger and Eloise Schachinger. He is further survived by his mother and father, Donald and Norma Lochner; his eleven siblings: Jennifer (Charles) Loeper, Paul Lochner, Christine (Denny) Holmes, Amelia (Larry) Dittman, Louis (Mary) Lochner, Tom (Joyce) Lochner, Lenoir Lochner, Elizabeth (Dean) Abel, Rene (Shane) Roth, John Lochner, Joseph (Debra) Lochner and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Cathy’s siblings: Joan (James) Bowers, David (Maureen) Thomas, Michael (Mary Anne) Thomas, Peter (Elizabeth) Thomas and Christopher (Barbara) Thomas. Mark was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Mae Saunders; his paternal grandparents, Louis and Emma Lochner; his uncle Harold Lochner, aunt Audrey Lochner, his cousin Michael Lochner, and Cathy’s parents, Joseph and Bernardine Thomas.

A Memorial Mass will be on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca, WI. Father Amalraj Roche will preside. A visitation will be held on Friday evening, Feb. 14th, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca and also on Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in the name of D. Mark Lochner to benefit local organizations and charities. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the countless friends and family members who helped us during this difficult journey. Doc Loc was able to remain at home, which was his only wish. The day before he passed away, he was able to look out the window and watch his children and grandchildren skate on Columbia Lake.