"So sorry for your loss. The video was very touching. I remember your family so well from when we attended the Methodist Church in Curlew. Laurie Olsberg Shields (daughter of Ed & Leah Olsberg)."
In loving memory of
Ray Homer Lowman
June 21, 1931 - March 24, 2014
Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg. Burial is in Rush Lake Cemetery, Curlew. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home.
Ray Homer Lowman was born June 21, 1931, on the family farm north of Curlew, Iowa, the son of Homer Nathan and Ethel May (Hatch) Lowman. He attended school in Curlew, and he was a 1949 graduate of Curlew High School. Ray moved to Emmetsburg in 1951. He worked in his future father-in-law's welding shop until he lost his eye, after which he owned the bowling alley and ran a gas truck.
On June 14, 1953, Ray was united in marriage to Lois Hauenstein at the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg.
Ray began working for Hillers Carpet in 1955 where he became part owner. He laid carpet for 10 years and sold carpet for another 10 years. He joined Wigdahl's Hardware in 1975, and two years later, he began working as custodian of Emmetsburg Community Schools where he was affectionately known as "Sugar Ray." In 1993, Ray retired from the Emmetsburg Community Schools.
Ray was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg and a former member of the Emmetsburg Jaycee's. Ray and Lois opened their home to many foster children. He loved camping trips with family, and when his kids were growing up, he would always take them camping at Adventureland for one week every summer. Later in life, he took his grandkids camping on weekends, and he enjoyed trying to teach some of them how to fish. Ray and Lois also enjoyed winters in Texas for a few years after their retirements. He was an avid bowler which included a perfect game. He also enjoyed being outdoors doing yardwork, watching birds, gardening, and making board games for his grandkids. Ray truly enjoyed coffee with friends and time with family. He will always be remembered for his smile, jokes, and one liners.
On March 24, 2014, Ray passed away at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Lois of Emmetsburg; a son, Terry & Carolyn Lowman of Emmetsburg and their children: Nick, Rachel, Matthew and Emily; three daughters: Conni & John Sweers of Wesley, IA and their children: Erin Padgett (Bob), Kelly Sweers (Becca), Scott, and Chris; Vicki & Keith Truog of Pocahontas and their children: Tasha Moore (Ron), Jeremy,and Jamie, and Lori & Tom Brown of Graettinger and their children: Joe, Jake, Kyle and Nikki; foster daughter: Judy Boyken and her children: Amber Parcel (Dan) and Dan Boyken (Niki); foster son, Danny Roland; and Ray's sister, Viola Laws Sampson of Emmetsburg, and 14 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; their daughter, Suzanne Lowman; and his brother, Lyle Lowman.
Tributes
"i have so many memories with lori and the family like horseback riding stayin on so many over nights out on the phone my thoughts and prayers are with you"
"Dear Lowman Family, Hope your special memories of Ray brings you comfort and peace. Verlyn Olsberg"
"So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Our sympathies to the Lowman family. Thoughts and prayers with you all."
"You are each in my thoughts and prayers. To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is to never die."
"Lois and Family, I'm sadden of your loss, I will always remember the times of riding "Big Red" from the farm into town and back, and working with Ray at the school one summer, Ray was truly a man who cared for all.You all are in my prayers."
"Ray and Lois have been very special people in our lives for so long that it is time to say a special thank you. Lois and Family, you must have many treasured memories that will make your sorrow more bearable. He was one of our favorite friends; thank you for sharing him with so many of us. Marcie and Bill Frevert"
"I have such awesome memories of spending time with Lori. Spending lots of overnights on the acreage and many camping trips with them. Ray and Lois treated me as one of their own children and always welcomed me. My best memory of Ray is with a smile and a cigar. My love and thoughts are with all he leaves behind, especially my friend Lori."
"We will miss Ray. Sympathy to lois n family"
"Sending our sympathy to all of the Lowman family. Dave and Judy Nixon "
"Lois and Family. We were so sorry to hear of Ray' passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. "
"Lois and Donald B are cousins and we used to see them every year at the family reunions. Ray was always a favorite of ours. He was friendly and fun to be around. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. "
"Sending condolences to all of Ray's family. Our Pam had lots of good times at their home with Lori and family. He was still taking up the collection at church when we left last fall. Always had a greeting for us. May God's blessings be with you."
"Ray was the best of men, a decent, honest man. He cared for his wife, and he helped her raise 4 wonderful children. Ray was like a second father to me when we both worked for my Dad, and a good friend all the years after that. The world got a lot darker without Ray Lowman in it. "
"Dear Lowman Family, So very sorry to learn of Ray's passing away. God bless. Margaret Molitor Spencer, IA"
"Dear Lois and Family, I am sorry to hear of Ray's death. I know you all loved him and that you will miss him dearly. He must have been a great man to have chosen a wonderful woman for a wife, and to have such loving children. My sympathy."
"Lois and family, My consolences on your loss. I didn't know Ray well, but I know he will truly be missed. It is so hard to say good-bye to a loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. Sandi Batt Cross"
"Ray was a custodian who was always bopping in and out of the High School kitchen to see what was going on. When I would tell him that commodities were coming and ask for help unloading them, his perpetual smile would leave, but he was always there when the truck backed up to the loading dock. I did appreciate his help all those years!"
"Ray was a nice person to work with at Emmetsburg High School; always had a good sense of humor and attitude. Later I would see him having coffee; always had a big grin on his face:). Sincere sympathy to all."
"Lois and families, we are so sorry for your great loss. We will be thinking of you during this tough time. "
"R.I.P. Uncle Ray! "