Loren H Fiddelke

Loren H. Fiddelke, age 71, of Holstein, passed away on September 15, 2025 at the Unity Point Health - St. Luke's of Sioux City. Please join Loren’s family for a celebration of life at the Holstein Country Club on Friday, September 26th, from 4–8 p.m.

Loren Fiddelke rode off into the sunset on Monday, September 15th, at the Unity Point Health- St. Luke’s in Sioux City, after a long illness. True to the Duke’s words, “Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.” Loren faced every challenge with grit and determination, surrounded in the end by his family.

Born November 27th, 1953, in Orange City, Iowa, Loren was the third child of Leonard and Betty (Mesner) Fiddelke—and one of only two to be born in a hospital. He grew up on the family farm near Granville, helping neighbors bale hay and working alongside his dad. He graduated from Paullina High School in 1972.

Loren married Linda Orbin, and together they welcomed two sons, Tony and Chris. They later divorced.

When he married Helen Butcher, his family grew by three more boys—Michael, Aaron, and Ian. Together they spent countless hours at ballgames, tournaments, and family events. Loren worked as a truck driver for VT Industries before he and Helen became the proud owners of Fridays, a bar and restaurant in Holstein, where he loved feeding people, telling stories, and making friends.

Following their years at the bar, Loren built and operated his own trucking company, L & H Express. Known to some by his CB handle, “Screwdriver,” he proudly kept the wheels turning until he retired from the road in 2017. Much like John Wayne’s saying, “A man deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on him,” Loren proved himself time and again in business and in life.

After Helen’s passing, Loren found a new chapter of love and laughter with Julie Kiertzner. They bonded over their devotion to the Minnesota Vikings—attending games in Minneapolis—and enjoyed many rounds of golf and good times at the Holstein Country Club.

Loren was an outdoorsman at heart. He enjoyed hunting with his sons, was a quick draw and a sharp shot—living proof of the Duke’s line, “Talk low, talk slow, and don’t say too much.” Around the pool table, he was a shark, and on the golf course, he was—depending on who you asked—a scratch golfer (wink wink). His son Tony claims he once beat him, though legend has it Loren let him win for Father’s day.

More than anything, Loren loved his family. He cherished time with his granddaughter Margaret, cheering her on at dance competitions and soccer games, often commenting “why does the music have to be so loud?” He was a man of action, humor, and loyalty, embodying John Wayne’s spirit: “A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”

Loren is survived by his longtime love, Julie Kiertzner; his sons Tony (Molly) Fiddelke of Johnston, Iowa, and Chris (Annasha) Fiddelke of West Des Moines; grandchildren Margaret, Isaac, and Isabelle; sister Jeannie (Glenn) Norris of Cherokee; brother Les (Sheryl) Fiddelke of Paullina; stepsons Michael (Jenny and children Annie, Drew and Beau Peterson) Butcher of Ames, and Ian (Amy and son Logan) Butcher of Des Moines, and Aaron’s son Ethan of Ankeny. He leaves behind a wide circle of friends, family, and golf buddies who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents, his sister Jeanette (John) Lenz, and his stepson Aaron Butcher.

As John Wayne said, “Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday.” Loren taught us plenty—and left us with stories, laughter, and love enough to last a lifetime.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the family.