Youlonda Anita Loechler, 55, of Millville, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 24, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on April 20, 1970 in Wabasha, MN to Chester (Chet) and Ruth (Ted) Briggs.
Youlonda grew up in Millville Minnesota and attended Elgin- Millville High School, graduating in 1988. Youlonda continued her education at RCTC where she acquired an associates degree in Lab Medicine. She returned to school a few years later at the University of North Dakota where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science in 2012.
Youlonda married her high school sweetheart, Kevin Loechler, on April 20th, 1991 at St Pauls United Church of Christ in Eyota, MN. Youlonda and Kevin lived in a quaint little home where they started their family but soon moved to what became Youlonda’s forever home and a place she created so many cherished memories.
Youlonda was actively involved in the community. She was the president of the counsel at Grace UCC in Millville and served as a valuable member on the board at the Plainview Public Library. Youlonda was also a dedicated employee to Mayo Clinic in Rochester where she just celebrated her 35th anniversary.
Youlonda loved spending time with her friends and family. She specifically enjoyed playing and doing crafts with her 3 granddaughters. Youlonda also enjoyed traveling, reading, going for walks or just staying busy in general.
Youlonda is survived by her husband, Kevin Loechler of Plainview, Minnesota; two children Aaron (Katey) Loechler of Watkins, Minnesota and Kiara (Zach Baumgartner) Loechler of Tarpon Springs, Florida; three grandchildren Ella, Ridley, and Holli; parents Chester(Chet) and Ruth (Ted) Briggs of Millville, Minnesota; two sisters Rochelle (Travis) Wilford of Harmony, Minnesota and Andrea (Casey) Leonhardt of West Albany, Minnesota. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Eva and Lee Briggs, and Peter and Florence(Minnie) Komisar.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday September 30, 2025 at Grace United Church of Christ, 300 Division Street, Millville, MN from 4-7pm. Funeral services will also be at Grace United Church of Christ on Wednesday October 1, 2025 at 11am with visitation one hour prior to service. A luncheon will follow the service. Pastor Ana Wilson will be officiating.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memories and condolences of Youlonda may be shared at rochestercremationservices.com
Omg! I’m so sorry for your loss. She was a special person. You have our deepest sympathies
Youlonda,
You will be greatly missed!
So sorry to hear of Youlonda’s passing. Although I haven’t seen her in years I can see from Facebook posts how much she loved her family. Heaven gained another sweet soul.
I knew Yolanda in my younger person, she was always very nice, I am so sorry for your loss
I am so sorry to hear of Yolanda’s passing. She was way too young. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Our sympathies to the family.. We did not get the privilege to know Youlonda but knew her
through the eyes of her father and our good friend Chet. Hugs to Chet and Ruth.
Oh, Ruth and Chet, I am so very sorry..
Love
Monica(Appel) Brockway
I am so very sorry for your loss, Kevin and family. Youlonda was a bright light in this world, and I will miss her.
You have our sympathy in your loss. You all have our sympathy .
We are incredibly sorry for your devastating loss. May your find peace and comfort in your beautiful memories
When Youlonda was real little, I babysat her and her 2 sisters every Wednesday night and many Saturday nights. I enjoyed all the years of babysitting these 3 girls. I played many games, colored pictures and had lots of movies and popcorn. There were many nights I stayed overnight and slept upstairs with the girls. Youlonda always had a smile on her face. She will be missed. Sympathy to all of her families.
Sorry to hear of Yolanda’s passing. She was an amazing woman and made such an impact on so many lives. So many memories flashing thru my head right now. Church, Sunday school, youth group, pancake breakfasts at the church, high school. Prayers for the whole family, this is major loss for the whole community.
I am saddened by the loss of such a wonderful colleague and wonderful person. Mayo Clinic was blessed by having her as one of us.
I am so sorry to hear this. I remember Youlanda from my much younger days. I am sorry for your loss and I hope your memories of time spent with Youlanda bring you comfort.
Our beautiful Youlonda ❤️. She was a shining star inside and out. RIP Youlonda. Thoughts and prayers for Kevin and family.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Youlonda’s passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who are grieving this sudden loss. May we find comfort in the memories we shared and the legacy she leaves behind.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Jim Fitzsimmons
Kevin and family, just heard the news about Youlonda’s passing. We are deeply sorry for your loss. We loved Youlonda as a friend and neighbor. For years we walked together to the bus stoop in the mornings catching up on tidbits of news. Youlonda will be missed by many inside and outside the community.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of our most beautiful, compassionate, and kind friend and colleague. We have known and worked with Youlonda for many years, she had the biggest heart, always was smiling and talking about her family. We are sending our deepest condolences to her family during this very difficult time. She will be deeply missed.
With deepest sympathy, Lori and Joaquin Sanchez-Sotelo.
Youlonda was one of my supervisors I had during my career at Mayo Clinic. She was not only my supervisor, but became a true friend. Youlonda will be remembered as an exceptional woman, who treated her co-workers with respect and kindness. Youlonda is so deserving of everyone’s kind words.
My heart and hugs go out to you. Youlanda, was always kind to this younger cousin and you will be missed.
So sorry for your devastating loss! She was a sweetheart! Always smiling! She will be missed!
My heart goes out to Kevin, Kiara and Aaron. I’ve known Youlanda probably most of my life and I sung at your wedding. My son also graduated and was Kiara’s classmate. Youlanda was one of the kindest people I have known, always with a smile. I’m so so sorry for this horrible loss. I hope you can all find peace and comfort in one another and always share with each other the beautiful memories you have of her.
I’m so sorry for your loss! I worked with Youlanda in Orthopedic Research for 4 years, many years ago, but would touch base periodically to say hi or happy birthday! She was such a wonderful person with a warm, caring heart! We will all miss her very much! You and your family are in my thoughts!
My heart goes out to Kevin, Aaron, Kiara, family, parents, friends, and co-workers… everyone who knew Youlonda and felt her genuine love, warmth, and care. She has stayed in my heart since she was my supervisor a long time ago in Total Joint Registry. As our new supervisor at the time, she was so supportive, trusting, and willing to work with me so that I could go to nursing school. She had a heart of gold and was always encouraging to me and to so many others. What an honor to have lived, laughed, and cried together with her. Bless you Youlonda and your family and friends that you cared so deeply about.
Heart breaking and such a loss. I’m sorry. I only knew Youlonda from Mayo Clinic but her energy…it was remarkable. She was always so upbeat and willing. She stood out with enthusiasm and eagerness. The same was true when I would run into her on the bike path walking…with her book and focused on each stretch and step. She was so intentional. May she rest in peace and her light shine through happy memories, always. Jennifer Judge
I only worked with Youlonda for a short time, but she truly was a remarkable woman who cared deeply for people. Deepest condolences for your loss.
Youlonda was a beautiful soul. I met her through our shared work at Mayo Clinic, and I will never forget her passion, enthusiasm, encouragement, and positivity. You just wanted to be around her; she radiated warmth and was so easy to connect with. My sincerest condolences to all who were blessed by her.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Youlonda’s passing. Our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family. I will always be grateful for the first opportunity Youlonda gave me at Mayo Clinic.
With thoughts and prayers,
Audi & Ash
Kiara and family, sending my condolences and prayers.
I was fortunate to be able to work closely with Youlonda as she was an invaluable resource for me and the entire department. Our department depends heavily on our clinical experiences and the ability to review and publish our results. I therefore constantly interacted with Youlonda which was both rewarding and enjoyable. She was a classic example of competency and professionalism. She was especially very helpful with suggestions and input on how to accomplish my goals. But what i possibly appreciated the most was her cheerful , personal and prompt response to these requests. She will be deeply missed . God bless her and her family.
I am so sorry, Chet and Ted. Losing a child is so painful. I don’t care how they die. Be gentle with yourselves as you grieve the loss of Youlanda. She was a beautiful woman inside and out.
Peace to your hearts.
Ellen (Appel) Stelling
I am so heartbroken to hear about Youlonda! I was blessed to work with her for many years as a fellow supervisor in Orthopedic Surgery. We had many fun conversations about our families. She was a true leader and one of the kindest people one could ever meet. My heartfelt sympathy to your entire family!
Most Sincerely,
Mary Jo Oven Dahling
Dear Kevin and family:
I was very sorry to hear of Youlonda’s recent passing. May the memories you shared with her, along with the peace of God, bring you comfort, strength, and even joy in the days ahead. Her tremendous contributions to the success of the Total Joint Registry and the Research Committee in the Orthopedic Department are deeply appreciated. We will greatly miss her kindness as a colleague. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
With sympathy in Christ,
Kai-Nan