Loren Joseph Kadlec

Loren Joseph Kadlec, age 84, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on April 3, 2026, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Loren was born September 20, 1941, to Joseph and Edith (Lala) Kadlec. He graduated from Edinburg High School in 1959. Loren attended North Dakota State University and forever remained an avid "Bison" fan. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1962 and served his country for two years as a Radio Teletype Operator. In 1964, he began farming on the land that his great-grandfather, Frank Kadlec, homesteaded in 1893 and continued farming for 42 years until his retirement in 2006.

Loren was a member of the Board of Directors at Polar Communications for 15 years, serving as Board President for several of those years. He was honored to be a part of Polar's growth and prosperity. He was a member of the Pisek American Legion Post 208 and was a volunteer EMT with Pisek Quick Response for many years.

On June 15, 2004, he married the love of his life, Nancy Houser (nee Drevecky), at Mackinac Island, Michigan. Together, they enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and being sno-birds in Arizona to escape the cold ND winters.

Loren is survived by his wife of almost 22 years, Nancy, stepchildren, Melissa (Jesse) Irvine, Jason (Rachel) Lindell, Justin Lindell, Roslynn (Chris) Semrau,

Andrew (Laura) Lindell, and Tyler Houser; 16 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Carol (Dwight) Howe, and Don Kadlec, sister-in-law Joan Kadlec, nephews, Tim (Katie) Kadlec, and Mitch (Valerie) Kadlec, nieces, Kristin (Jeff Rose) Daley, and Courtney (James) Baxter, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Edith, and his brother, Kenneth.

Loren was very proud of his Czech heritage and always enjoyed gathering with the many cousins that he remained close with throughout the years. He was devoted to his family; they meant the world to him. He was steadfast in his faith and counted his blessings on a daily basis. Many will attest to his kind and generous heart.

Memorial Service will be held April 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will be held Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Amundson Funeral and Cremation Service. Visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the start of the service at the church. The service will be live streamed on Holy Family Catholic Church’s Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Northland Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Great Plains Food Bank, or a charity of your choice.