Warren Louder, 80, passed away, Friday, September 25, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. Warren Marshall Louder was born August 22, 1935 to Harold and Anna (Marshall) Louder at Murdo, SD. He grew up on the family ranch at Draper, attending country school at Draper and graduating from Murdo in 1953. Warren was a talented "jack of all trades" learning at a young age how to repair anything mechanical. His mother died when he was 10 years old and by the time he was 15 he had a part-time job for a local car mechanic. After graduation he opened his own mechanics shop in Murdo. Sometime later he wanted a change and became a power lineman, traveling the country building power plants, sub-stations and steel power lines. After moving to Elkton in 1975 he became part of a traveling crew for NSP (now Excel Energy) with head-quarters in Minneapolis. He retired in 1998 and remained a member in good standing of the IBEW until his death. After retirement, attending auctions became his full time hobby. So much so that Mike Carpenter and Dean Gulbranson gave him a personal bidding number 111. Ill health caused him to leave Elkton, where he had lived for 37 years, and move to Elk River, MN (also home of the Elks) to be near his youngest son, BJ, and family.

Warren is survived by his wife Linda, of Elk River, MN, children Valerie (Marvin) Marshall of Madison, SD, Mary (Steve) Fry of Lewistown, MT, Jill Pitts of Billings, MT, Bret (Carrie) Louder, Ft. Thomas, KY, Corey Louder, Cincinnati, OH, Kirk Louder, Elk River, MN, B.J. (Stephanie) Louder, Elk River, MN. His grandchildren were the "LOVES" of his life: Charlie, Katie and Abbie Fry; Kelly (Mudappa) Pitts Kalaiah, Melissa and Jesse Pitts, twin granddaughters Addison and Avery Louder and Luke and Benjamin Louder. Special kids in his life were Jeff Wiskur, Amy Wiskur and their sons Jake and Matthew. They were special assistants to him when Linda moved to Minnesota early to help care for granddaughters Addison and Avery. In addition his is survived by brothers Dwight (Dorothy) Louder and Nelva (Janet) Louder of Draper, SD, sisters Deanna Byrd of Kadoka, SD and Joy Carlson of Yankton, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister Elsa Buxcel, brother-in-law Larry Byrd, plus his best friend and work traveling buddy Jim DeBerg of Sibley, IA. After moving to Elk River, Warren and Linda renewed a friendship with Pastor Dennis and Judy Schmidt (former pastor at Trinity Lutheran) who had retired from the ministry and lives in a nearby town. He was a blessing to Warren during his illness and had visited him Thursday afternoon.


In lieu of flowers Warren would prefer and encourage you to make a donation to one of his favorite charities; American Lung Association, St Jude's, Disabled Veterans or the Wounded Warrior Project.


A memorial service to celebrate Warren's life will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Elkton, SD from 2 to 4 pm.