Loren Holden

Loren Holden, 77 of Backus, Minnesota passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021, after a lengthy battle with COPD. He once said that this disease taught him patience as it kept him confined to his home and struggling to breathe for so many years.   Loren was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to many who will forever remember him.

Loren worked as a truck driver for most of his life. He was a hardworking and honest man who loved his family and taught us many wonderful lessons over the years.  Some memories of him that I will carry forward include the time he was given an extra $10 in change at a Hardee's restaurant. Dad did not catch the error until he was well down the road but carried that $10 in his wallet for the better part of two months until he was at the location again so he could return it.

Dad worked hard to provide a living for his family. He spent a lot of time on the road as we were growing up and survived a crash on the Northshore that ejected him out of his truck, through the passenger windshield and down Highway 61 on his back, after his trailer, which was loaded improperly, jack-knifed and sent the load of huge rolls of paper to be used for printing newspapers through the roof of the trailer and down the road after him. As children, my brother and I thought our dad was a Super Hero after that near brush with death. Dad spent some time at home recovering and had a blast during Halloween as he wore a cap that made him look completely bald. When the neighbor kids came to our house trick or treating, he tricked them into thinking that he not only lost most of the skin off his back but his scalp too!

As we grew up and left the nest and brought our own families back home, Dad was there to be a loving and supporting grandfather to our children. He always carried pictures and had tales to tell anyone who would listen about Adam, Matthew, and Katie. The grandchildren always enjoyed rides in Grandpa’s truck and getting to toot the airhorns in their younger years.

Some wonderful advice that Dad gave my brother and me in life was: “If I EVER catch you smoking cigarettes I will kick you in the butt so hard it will look like you are wearing ear-muffs!”, and after Dad purchased a little 125 Yamaha enduro from our Uncle Bun, so my brother and I could learn how to ride motorcycle he said, “When  you think you are pretty good on that bike, park it in the garage until  you forget how good you were.”

Although Loren is not present with us today, I know that he is with his beloved parents Roy, Margaret, Sister Verona, and big brother Bun, who meant the world to him. Dad oftentimes spoke of the time he spent as a child living with Dick and Verona as well as Bun and Noel while Grandpa and Grandma were living and working in Isabella.

Loren is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vicki Holden; sons, Scott Holden and Brian (Denise) Holden; grandchildren:  Adam Holden, Matthew Holden, and Katie (Holden) Krey; in addition to 5 great grandchildren.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today, please consider doing so. Jesus is coming and with him, the Saints who have passed before us. I look forward to the moment that trumpet sounds, Dad, and will look forward to meeting with you and Jesus in the clouds.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to Backus Church of the Nazarene Building Fund.

Services will be 11 AM on Saturday, December 11, at Backus Church of the Nazarene. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Backus.