Harvey Allen Loewen

Harvey Allen Loewen was born on April 29, 1934, to Abe and Anna (Stoesz) Loewen in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He was baptized upon confession of faith at Gospel Mennonite Church in October 1947. He graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1952 and attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha for a year, focusing on music classes and singing in the chorale. As a conscientious objector to war, he served in the Alternative Service Program from 1954 to 1956, working with poor communities in Gulfport, Mississippi, in a program administered by the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). While at Gulfport he met Mildred Schmidt, a teacher from Goessel, Kansas, who worked in Gulfport for two summers with Mennonite Voluntary Service. They were married on October 6, 1956, and made their home in Mountain Lake, farming north of town for nearly 60 years. Harvey enjoyed music and served as a church musician for most of his life. He directed numerous choirs and musical groups at Gospel Mennonite Church and later at Bethel Mennonite Church, often with Millie playing organ or piano. He liked to spend Sunday afternoons listening to classical or choral music on a quality hi-fi system he built himself. During his 20s, Harvey ran a side business as professional photographer. He took many wedding and family portraits and developed pictures in his own darkroom. He continued to take pictures throughout his life and was especially fond of the landscape in the Southwest. Friends and family will remember Harvey as a detail person who was knowledgeable in many subjects and could fix just about anything. He was always happy to linger at the table, telling jokes and keeping the conversation going. He loved the independence and outdoor life of farming and often said there was nothing hed rather do. Harvey Allen Loewen, age 84, of Mountain Lake, MN died on July 9, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society-The Village in Mountain Lake. Harvey is survived by Millie, his wife and partner in life for nearly 62 years; son Stan (Charlotte) Loewen of Mountain Lake; daughter Nancy Loewen of St. Paul; grandson Louis Balcziak of Iowa City; granddaughter Helena Balcziak of Minneapolis; aunt Elfrieda Fast of Little Elm, Texas; uncle Alfred Loewen (Carol) of Seattle; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Norma, and by his parents. Memorials are preferred to Mennonite Central Committee or Alzheimers Association. Visitation 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, July 12, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information 10:00 am Friday, July 13, 2018 Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment will take place prior to the funeral service Service Information 11:00 am Friday, July 13, 2018 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Reception A luncheon will be served immediately following the funeral service.