S Air Force from 1959-1965 during the Vietnam Conflict. It was during this time that he met the lovely Claire Marie Rose Filteau in Canada, and held the rare distinction of being escorted back over the border into America by Canadian Mounties on several occasions, such was his desire to be with his love. They married on December 28, 1963, and went on to have five children. Loras and Claire bought the farm they wanted in 1975. He was great with his hands, building the family home single-handedly over a span of years. Loras was always willing to lend a hand to others and loved fixing things. He worked in maintenance for the Fischer Company in Dubuque for over 20 years, then retired after working as a plumber for Willenborg Plumbing. For over 40 years, he and Claire had a corner at the Dubuque Farmers Market and many of you would be quick to recognize his smiling face working there every weekend. In later years, he loved going on the annual family fishing trip to Cass Lake, MN and vacationing/visiting family with Claire. He was also a proud member of the American Legion, Post #6. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Claire; children: Mike (Laura), Chuck (Amy), Robert (Norma), Tony (Laurel) and Sonia (Billy) Wodrich; grandchildren: Marcus, Adam, Shalia, Tyler, Joan Claire, Elizabeth, Robert, William, Samantha, Gregory and Charlie; great-grandchildren: Bryson and Zayden; siblings: Emil, Nancy, Mary, Judy, Linda and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Michael and Leona; siblings: Earl, James, Luetta, Norma, Vern, Janet, and Anita. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.leonardfuneralhome.com/notices/Loras-Herting