Clyde Luiken

Clyde Edward Luiken was born June 11, 1942, in Oelwein, to Lyle and Dorothy (Barker) Luiken. Their farm home near Arlington was the source of hard work with dairy cattle and boyhood pranks. Clyde graduated from Arlington High School in 1960 and went on to the Universal Trade School in Omaha, Nebraska where he earned a Doctor of Motors degree. 

Clyde and Jane Moon were married Jan. 5, 1964, and became parents of Sue and Jeff. Clyde enlisted in the Army National Guard March 16, 1967 and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington until he was honorably discharged in January of 1972.

Clyde was a fine example of a work-a-holic and held positions at Weber Motor, McDowell & Sons, Fisher Control, DayCo, United Suppliers, Pine Lake Auto, Friedley Olds, Gehrke Construction, North Central Line Service and Standorf Trucking and was self-employed running a gravel truck. Later he found employment at the City of Eldora Street Dept. and stayed until retirement. He served 32 years as co-worker and director, forming long lasting relationships and a reputation for getting things done. 

A contract between the ENP School system and the City of Eldora was the beginning of a new life for Clyde. He met and worked with Carolyn, E-NP Transportation Director, on the various maintenance and repairs to keep the school buses and vans running. Clyde and Carolyn were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua Sept. 9, 2001. They made their home in Gifford where they became serving members of the Gifford Methodist Church. Both Carolyn and Clyde retired together in 2018.

Clyde loved the thrill of trading cars, trucks, tractors, and golf carts. He knew where every town had a carwash and would use them all; always avoiding the gravel roads! His equipment was always in tip-top shape and full of gas. Clyde loved his children and grandchildren and always would help them out. Clyde was especially loving to animals, even those known to be untouchable! 

Clyde’s health began to decline in November 2022, and he struggled to keep the strong physical abilities he had always relied on. After two hospital stays and two Nursing Homes, Clyde passed on to be with our Lord May 31, 2023.

Clyde is survived by his loving wife Carolyn, his children Sue (Brad) Kappel and Jeff Luiken, stepchildren Rob (Rachel) Hotopp, Nate (Cara) Hotopp, Kendra (Clay) Faris, his grandchildren Lauryn (Kory) Nystrom, Morgan Kappel, Braden (Jordan) Kappel, Caleb (Meg) Luiken, step-grandchildren, Reagan, Amber, & Cole Hotopp, Lilly and Layne Hotopp, and Wyler and Everly Faris, great grandchildren Reverie Nystom, Calvin, Addison, and Oaklynn Kappel, Aubrey McNeece and Coy Luiken, his brother David Luiken, Jane Luiken, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents, brother Kermit Luiken and infant granddaughter Nora Jane Nystrom.

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