Loren E. Huber

Loren E. Huber, a devoted husband, father, and proud South Dakota native, passed away August 31, 2025, at his home in the company of his loving family. He was 82 years old. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM Friday, September 5, at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Emery. Burial will be at St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 PM, at St. Martin's Catholic Church with a 7:00 PM Scripture Service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel. Born July 9, 1943, to Erwin and Alice (Dubs) Huber, Loren grew up in the small community of Emery, South Dakota. He joined an older brother, Victor, and was later joined by a sister, Sharyn. A lover of sports and the outdoors, Loren graduated from Emery High School in 1961 before attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion for two years. In 1963, Loren was recruited by the U.S. Navy to enter its aviation program. After completing rigorous ground school and flight training at various Naval Air Stations in Florida and Texas, Loren earned his Wings of Gold on April 28, 1965. As a Naval Aviator, he served in Patrol Squadron 49, flying anti-submarine warfare and surveillance missions during the Vietnam War. His deployments took him to remote and varied locations like Adak, Alaska; Bermuda; the Philippines; and even the Ascension Islands and Brazil as a test program for the initial pickups of the first spacecraft capsules. Loren's military service lasted until 1968, with nearly 4,200 flight hours on four various aircraft. In 1969, Loren transitioned to a civilian career with Northwest Airlines, where he worked as a commercial aviator. After being furloughed in 1974, he returned to South Dakota to work with his father's Huber Construction Company and play bass guitar with "The Prairie Ramblers" before rejoining Northwest Airlines in 1979. Loren continued his aviation career with Northwest (now Delta) until his retirement as a Boeing 727 captain in 1998. In 1976, Loren married Amy Nolan, and together they raised four children: Jami, Jessi, Lee, and Jia. Loren's love for his family knew no bounds, and he often told each one of them they were his "favorite." He imparted to them the values that defined his life: enduring faith, a strong work ethic, a love of the outdoors, and a commitment to family. He shared his passions for music, sports, fishing, hunting, gardening, and the importance of being a devoted and caring parent. He is survived by his beloved wife, Amy Nolan-Huber; his children, Jami (Jesse) Barondeau, Jessi (Jesse) Olsen, Lee (Nicole) Huber, and Jia (Paul) Stein; fourteen grandchildren: Roland, Daphne, and Eloise Barondeau; Ayn, Nolan, Maximilian, and Gianna Olsen; Carter, Cole, and KyLee Huber; Avery, Everett, Jasper, and Aurelia Stein; mother, Alice Huber; brother, Victor (Karen) Huber; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. Loren was preceded in death by his father, Erwin Huber, his sister, Sharyn Rhodes, and brother-in-law, Gerry Rhodes. Loren will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his love for flying, and his unwavering commitment to service-both to his country and to those he held dear.