Loren George "Spike" Speckeen (1924-2013)

SPECKEEN, JACOBSON, RUSSEL, NISKA, CAMPBELL, VARALLO

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/26/2018 at 18:14:26

From Nevada Journal August 15, 2013 (page 6)

OBITUARIES
Loren George "Spike" Speckeen
March 16, 1924-Aug. 10, 2013

Loren George "Spike" Speckeen, 89, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Ne­vada, Iowa, was born to Anna and George Speckeen in Big Stone City, S.D. After losing his father in 1928, he and his sister, Doris, were raised by their moth­er. He worked on relatives' farms around Milbank, S.D., learned to op­erate a variety of equipment, and then drove trucks for his uncle, Harry Speckeen, who, was like a father to him. After serv­ing honorably in WW II, he returned and trained in sales. He married Doris Jacobson on Aug. 12, 1950, and they then made their home and started their family in Minneapo­lis, Minn. They moved to Nevada, in 1963 and opened their first business, Speckeen Construction Co., building grain bins and other farm structures. Later they opened Nevada Distributing Co., wholesaling ag equipment throughout the Midwest. They retired to Florida full, time in 1990.

Loren had strong faith, loved his family, and was a shining example for all who knew him. He loved golfing, boating, and dancing. He supported many charities and other organizations, both individually and through Rotary International. He was the first Paul Harris Fellow in his Rotary club.

He succumbed to complica­tions from cancer-related surgery. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and sister. He is survived by two children, Stepha­nie Campbell (Russel), of Sarasota, Fla., and Jay Speckeen, of Vinton, Iowa; three grandchildren, Corinne Niska (Matt), Brenton Campbell, and Dorothy Varallo-Speckeen; and one great granddaughter, Anna Niska.

He is loved and missed by his family and many, many friends that were part of his long and joyful life. Memorial services will be held in Nevada at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any desired donations be made to Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada or to the donor's charity of choice.