On Friday, in the late hours of June 23rd, Loren Paul Sieh entered the gates of heaven. Though he was frail and tired, his spirit was full of grateful appreciation to be able to draw another determined breath every second he was graced on earth. He lived on his terms and was happy to leave when the Lord called him into His eternal care. Loren passed away peacefully to join his beloved wife, Linda.

There was never a dull moment with him, traveling, exploring and daring his children to always try new things. He enjoyed every moment with his eight grandchildren. He was larger than life and everyone was so drawn to his kindness and energetic spirit. Up until the end his positive outlook and sense of humor remained with him – his memories shared, funnies made and his love abounding.

Loren was born on July 18, 1941 to Fred and Hertha Sieh in Burke, SD. His first home was on a farm east of Herrick, SD. When he was 9 months old, his family moved to a farm 3 miles west of Naper, which was his home until March 1949. Loren attended a country school. In 1949 Loren's parents moved to a farm near St Charles, SD. Loren attended school in St Charles until the 6th grade. Loren completed his school year in "the big town" of Bonesteel, SD. Loren was sitting on the bleachers in 8th grade when he was kicked in the back. He turned to the girl that kicked him and said, "who goes there, friend or foe". That girl would become his wife a few short years later.

Loren was very active in high school participating in football, basketball and track. In his 4 years of high school, Bonesteel only lost  one football game. He was honored to be selected by the Sioux Falls Argus Leader as a starter on of the All State Eight Man First Team. He also participated in the state track meet in 1959. Loren held the shot put record 47' 1" at Bonesteel high school for 30 years.

Loren attended school at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion on a football scholarship where he studied Computers. He and his wife, Linda were married on February 24, 1962. They moved to Omaha, NE where Loren was hired on at Union Pacific in the Management Information Department. He was involved in developing the very first computer freight car inventory and scheduling system at UP. This was in the early days of computerization at Union Pacific leading to almost all aspects of the railroad being technology driven today.  Loren and Linda had two children in Omaha, Willie in 1962 and Andrea in 1965. They returned to Naper, NE in 1969. Loren bought Naper Super Service from his brother in law, Jim McLaughlin sharing a partnership with Johnny Sieh until Johnny retired. Loren and Linda had two more children after they moved to Naper, Rick was born in 1973 and Tarra was born in 1978.

Loren  owned and operated the Naper Super Service until 2001. Loren worked hard so his kids could achieve their dreams and he ensured the community had a place for their morning coffee every day. Loren worked for NAPA Auto Parts for the next 11 years where he delivered auto parts across Gregory County. Loren spent his final work years as everyone's favorite bartender slinging drinks and bad jokes, bantering with the patrons until he retired in 2018.

Though many of his proudest moments involved those spent with his family, his volunteer work and commitment to serving the community he loved was his passion. Loren was elected to the school board from 1972 to 1988 serving many of those years as President. He joined the Naper Volunteer Fire Dept as a fireman and EMT soon after moving to Naper and volunteered until 2006. He served as Fire Chief for many years. One of his proudest honors was being the recipient of the Good Neighbors Award. Loren coached the little league baseball and softball team for many years Loren played on community basketball teams, and the Naper Softball Team. Loren always pleased the crowd with his signature slide into home plate on his belly. Loren was appointed by Governor Ben Nelson to the Boyd County Monitoring Committee while fighting against the Low Level Radioactive Waste Facility in the 1990s.

Loren loved life and lived it to its fullest. He enjoyed his summers camping at Whetstone Bay north of Bonesteel with his children and family friends. The Black Hills were always a favorite family road trip. He traveled to see baseball games, including the first ever game for the Florida Marlins in 1995, where he met Joe DiMaggio after Joe threw the teams first pitch. He was a huge fan of the New York Giants football team and the San Francisco Giants baseball team.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Sieh, his parents Fred and Hertha Sieh,his father in law Dale Peterson, his mother in law Cecile Peterson, his brother Verlyn Sieh , his sister Velda Stahlecker, brother in Law Jim McLaughlin, his brother in law Duke Stahlecker, his sister in law Karren Applebee, his nephew Mickey McLaughlin and his niece Sharon McLaughlin. He is survived by his children William (Linda) Sieh of Elkhorn, NE, Andrea Hendry of Park Ridge, IL, Rick Sieh of Naper, NE  and Tarra (Ryan) McGuire of Gretna, NE. His grandchildren Jacob, Lauren, Jordan, Jackson, John, Joshua, Edward and Savannah. His sister in law, LaVerna Sieh of Omaha, NE and brother in law Gerald Applebee. In addition, he is survived by many nephews and nieces and their children.

We will forever adore and remember you – we will stand taller and stronger, knowing you are now watching over us – always believing.