Lee Loewen

Lee (LeRoy) Loewen, age 77, of Mountain Lake, MN passed away on Sunday, January 29 of sudden cardiac arrest. He was generous with his time and talents, and found his greatest joy in making others happy through his kindness and wonderful sense of humor. Devoted to his true love and wife of 54 years, Barbara, he showered his children and grandchildren with his zest for life, sense of adventure and fun-loving spirit. Through him, we all experienced unconditional love. He was born in Mountain Lake, MN on April 12, 1934, to Nic and Katherine Loewen, and was baptized at the First Mennonite Church on May 28, 1950. After attending Mountain Lake High School and graduating in 1952, he attended and graduated from Mankato Teachers College (now Minnesota State University Mankato) in 1956. Lee married Barbara (Jungas) on July 4, 1957. Following college, he taught at Lake Crystal High School for one year, was drafted into the United States Army, and served for two years in Verdun, France. Following his honorable discharge, he and his wife settled in Mountain Lake, where they raised three children and were active in their community and Bethel Mennonite Church. After retirement from a career in business and sales, Lee and Barb enjoyed golf, travel, hobbies and time with friends and family. Lee was an exceptional athlete participating in football, basketball, baseball and track in high school with several state tournament appearances. His track career continued into college where he was an All-American high hurdler and competed in the 1956 US Olympic track and field trials where he placed 4th, narrowly missing a berth to the Olympic games. He was inducted into the Mountain Lake High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2011 for his achievements in track, football, basketball, and baseball. In 1981, Lee was inducted into the Mankato State University Athletic Hall of Fame and his 110 yard high hurdle record still stands today. His impact on the community has been widespread and meaningful. He was an active member of the local Jaycees receiving a US Jaycees Spark Plug award in 1967. He was also a member of the local Rotary Club and served as Club President in 1979. Lee was instrumental in developing the Mountain Lake Golf Course and served as its first president. In 1983, the Mountain Lake Public School District named him Friend of Education. He served as Grand Marshall of the 75th Annual Mountain Lake Pow Wow Parade and was currently serving on the Mountain Lake Lake Commission. Lee was a long time member of the Bethel Mennonite Church, taught Sunday School and helped develop a Wednesday night youth program curriculum Mission: Possible. He also sang in the church mixed choir for many years and, in recent years, especially enjoyed singing with his men's quartet, One A-Chord. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Barbara (Jungas), children, Randy and wife Linda, Robyn and husband Tom, and Andrea and husband Oscar; his much loved grandchildren Erik, Bailey, Alyssa, Matthew and special granddaughter Baily; siblings Estella Harder and Erna Taillefer. His parents and his brother Willmar preceded Lee in death. Visitation 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday, February 1, 2012 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake 420 10th St. N. Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:30 am Thursday, February 2, 2012 Bethel Mennonite Church 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159