Funeral services for 88-year old Loren McMillan of Martin, SD, are Friday, Feb 2,, 2024, at 10:00 at the new American Legion in Martin .
Lunch will follow, then burial in the Gordon, NE Cemetery, which will be followed by cake and coffee at the Gordon American Legion to visit and share stories.
A memorial has been established for the Bennett County Library or to Donor’s choice. Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com
Loren Keith McMillan was born May 3, 1935, in a sod house near Milburn, NE to James and Stella (Peg) McMillan, joining older brother Ted with sister Roberta following two years later. He passed away Jan 27, 2024, at Gordon Memorial Hospital at the age of 88.
Loren had his first job at the young age of 7, putting up hay for his folks and the neighbor. Working all summer long, Loren’s job was to run the stacker team of draft horses. It was hot, the days were long and there were a lot of flies. To the day he died, he did not like horses.
Loren went to grade school in Milburn, NE, and attended high school in Broken Bow, NE, where he excelled in football and track. It was also in high school where he met his future wife, Eva Jane Chase.
Loren worked for different ranchers in the Sandhills after high school, then in 1956 he joined the Marine Corps for two years.
Loren and Jane were married March 23, 1958, in Broken Bow, and moved to 13 miles west of Martin, and began farming in 1959. Loren and Jane last year celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary and their 65th year on the farm west of Martin.
Loren always had a second job besides farming: he worked for Leo Lowe Construction building terraces and waterways, taking over the business when Leo moved to eastern South Dakota.
The business began Leo’s stewardship of the land, which led him to serve on many boards – including 20 years on the Soil Conservation Board for 20 years. He was on the board when they won the Conservation District of the Year and went to the National Convention in New Orleans and accepted the award.
Loren also served on the board of South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts Area, Local Telephone Company board (later Bell Telephone Co.), Central School Board, FHA Board, Farmers Coop Elevator Board as well as South Dakota Land Improvement Contractors Association Director.
In 1965 he was selected and received the award for the outstanding Conservation District Supervisor in South Dakota.
Loren was also proud of his over 60 years of volunteering for the Batesland Volunteer Fire Department from 1961 to his death, and of serving as Fire Chief for many of those years.
Loren enjoyed traveling, flying his Cessna 172, and showing his antique cars. He was very honored when he was presented with a Quilt of Valor this last July from the American Legion in Gordon.
Loren is survived by his wife of 65 years Jane; daughters Lorna (Joe) Slattery, Cindy Embree, and Gin (Darrell) Stelling; and grandchildren Dr Breanna and Dr Casey Slattery, Nicole Embree, and Eva and Stella McMillan-Stelling.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Stella (Peg), older brother Ted (Betty), and sister Roberta (Tuff).
Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home of Gordon is in charge of arrangements for Loren McMillan.