Loren Keiser

Hawarden, Iowa- Loren 'Butch' Keiser, 79, of Hawarden, Iowa, died peacefully Friday, March 08, 2013 at the Hawarden Regional Healthcare Center Hospital in Hawarden surrounded by his loving wife and family. Butch died due to complications from a surgical procedure for bladder cancer.
Memorial service will be 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Hawarden with Rev. Barb Joy officiating. Visitation will be after 2:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will take place at a later date.
Loren 'Butch' Keiser was born in Alcester, South Dakota on October 26, 1933. He was an avid basketball player at Alcester High School and went on to receive a basketball scholarship from the University of South Dakota. He served in the US Army during the Korean conflict, stationed at a base in Alaska, where he was a radio technician as well as a member of a championship basketball team.
Butch married Patricia 'Patty' Swift in 1960. They resided in Hawarden where they raised four children. Butch made his living in heavy equipment construction, 'dirt work', first with his brother Raymond as an independent contractor, then with the LG Everist Company, and finally forming his own company, PAK Construction.
In his prime, he enjoyed playing golf and shooting pool, both of which he was quite good at. He was a big man with a big heart who loved playing cards and wise cracking, taking your money, and busting your chops.
He and Patty had a close group of good friends that shared many good times, especially enjoying their Saturday Night Supper Club.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia and his four children, Kim Keiser, Katie (Doug) DeGroot, Jill (Phillip) Cooper, and Kristi Keiser, along with 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren,that will miss him greatly. There is also a brother-in-law, Dick Swift and his sister-in-law, Opal Keiser; plus many beloved nieces and nephews.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Ruth Keiser; and his two brothers, Raymond and Robert Keiser.
Butch was loved by many and will be missed by all.