LOWELL RAYMOND SCHAEFER

    Lowell Raymond Schaefer was born the third of four children to Bernice Lewie (Madison) and Harold William Schaefer on September 15, 1923 at their homestead near Creston, Iowa. He attended Country School around the Creston area.
    On August 1, 1942 he was united in marriage to Lois Maxine Collier in Rockport, Missouri.  To this union five children were born. Carl Raymond, Gerald Lee, Gwendolyn Kay, Kenneth Dale and Michael Dean.
    In 1944, after serving his country during World War II, Lowell worked construction and hauled REA poles for the new power line system. Lowell and Maxine farmed near Ellston, Iowa from 1950 to 1968 before moving to their farm southeast of Diagonal, Iowa in 1968 where he remained farming throughout the rest of his life. Lowell enjoyed all aspects of farm life. In early years he was known to custom bale small round bales of hay with his Allis Chalmers equipment all around the Ellston neighborhood. In the 60’s they built a dairy herd and both Maxine and Lowell took on the daily toils of milk production with the aid of their sons. They raised row crops of corn and soybeans and farrowed sows throughout the eighties. He sold most of his cow/calf herd in latter years but still kept ten head on the farm to be able to enjoy the miracle of the spring calving. Lowell was a seed dealer for over 40 years and especially enjoyed hosting seed days with friends and neighbors.  Lowell took pride in refurbishing A-C tractors and was his favorite pastime in latter years. He took joy in sharing that love with his kids, grandkids and even great-grandkids. From collecting toy tractors, riding in parades, as well as the refurbishing process. Lowell was a member of the Ellston Methodist church and the Emmett Liles American Legion Post 541 of Ellston, Iowa transferring his membership to Morris Herrold 395 American Legion Post of Diagonal, Iowa. In 2010, Lowell was especially proud to join other local World War II veterans on the Freedom Flight to Washington DC to pay respect and view the monuments honoring veterans of all wars.Family and friends were important to the Schaefers as their door was always open with everyone welcome.
    He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine May 16, 2010, his parents; mother and father-in-law; Roy and Lela (Allensworth) Collier; Step-mother Erma Schaefer;  brothers-in-law: Donald Willey, Eldon Ricker, Lloyd Gibson, Francis Main, Wayne “Bud” Collier and Gary Collier; half brother Lowell Schaefer; sisters-in-law: Betty Schaefer, Hazel Gibson, Doretta Main, Alberta Collier, half sister; Shirley Braaton; nephews; David Main and Stuart Mott and great-nephew, Eric Mott.
    Survivors include; children: Carl and wife Yvonne Schaefer of Okeechobee, FL, Jerry and wife Susan Schaefer, Creston, IA, Gwendolyn Kay and husband Don Jandreau of Washougal, WA, Kenny and wife Cathy Schaefer of Diagonal, IA and Mike and wife Karen Schaefer of Maloy, IA. Grandchildren; Melinda (Robert) Eubanks, Julio Gertze, Carlyn Schaefer, Carmen Schaefer, Derald (Brenda) Schaefer, Dana (Warren) Evans, Danette (Richard) Hoffman, Wendy (Tony)  Baker, Nick (Kelly) Jandreau, Jon (Mindy) Schaefer, Amy Herr, Jennifer (Billy) Bell, Bill (Suzi) Schaefer, Timothy (Jennifer) Schaefer; 30 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, sisters; Thressa Willey of Creston, Darlene Ricker of Mount Ayr, and brother; Robert “Bob” Schaefer of Diagonal. sisters-in-law: Sarah Collier of Des Moines, half brothers and sisters and in-laws: Robert (Geraldine) Wallaker, Norman “Bud” (Marie) Schaefer,  Lavonne Schaefer, Dale (Janet) Schaefer, Robert Braaton, Harlon (Bonita) Hokanson, Eugene (Barbara) Gullickson, and Galen Schaefer of MN, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Arrangements by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Diagonal, Iowa.
    Services were held Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the Diagonal High School Gymnasium with Reverend Ed Shields and Reverend Eydie Stephens officiating.
    Casketbearers included Derald Schaefer, Jon Schaefer, Amy Herr, Jennifer Bell, Bill Schaefer and Timothy Schaefer.
    Honorary pallbearers were Melinda Eubanks, Julio Gertze, Carlyn Schaefer, Carmen Schaefer, Dana Evans, Danette Hoffman, Wendy Baker and Nick Jandreau.
    Millitary rites by Morris Herrold Post 395 American Legion. Burial was at the Knowlton Cemetery in Diagonal, Iowa.