With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Lowell Andersen, 82,.
Here is what mattered, in the years between the dates.
The story begins in 1940, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
Lowell spent his working life as ['certified crop inspector for Pioneer Hi-Bred and the state'] and held deeply to the Methodist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
A life of belief is a life of quiet conversation with something larger.
Lowell G. Andersen God Made A Farmer I was born near Hurley, SD on June 7, 1940 to Ejner & Ethelyn (Betty) Andersen . A few years later, brothers Darwin (Chuck) and Richard (Dick) would join our humble family . I attended Hurley school, taking part in many sports, and graduated in 1958 . After high school I joined the Army and became a paratrooper . That's right, I jumped out of perfectly good airplanes as a member of the 82 nd Airborne. After the Army I returned to the Hurley area to farm and marry the beautiful Kathleen (Kitty/Kit) Andersen in 1967 . God needed a farmer so together, Kit & I bought my family's farm east of town near the Vermillion River where I milked cows, raised sheep and tended to the soil with corn, beans, alfalfa and trees. We also raised 3 wonderful daughters . Wendy (Elden) Rand, Cindy (Darren) Matthes and Darcy Andersen . They blessed us with 4 fantastic granddaughters . Maren, Kate, Maddie and Sophia . Along with farming, being a dad and grandpa, I also served on the school board, served as lay leader of the Hurley United Methodist Church and the Vermillion Water board, just to name a few & I had the high honor of being a pie judge at the Turner Co. Fair. I worked as a certified crop inspector for Pioneer Hi-Bred and the state . When I drove school bus for the Lennox School District I became Lowell & not just Mrs. Andersen's husband to the students. God blessed me with many joys through the years, a strong wife to lean on and the strength to care for her when Parkinson's came into our lives. After my wedding, the birth of our children & grandchildren, the best day of my life was the day the farm was paid for; achieving a lifelong dream. God made a genuine farmer. Lowell was preceded in death by his wonderful wife Kit, just a few weeks prior to him, as well as his parents & parent in-laws, many cousins and cherished friends. He is survived by daughters Wendy (Elden) Rand, Cindy (Darren) Matthes , Darcy Andersen . Cherished Granddaughters Maren, Kate, Maddie, & Sophia. Brothers Chuck (Linda) Andersen, Dick (Marlys) Andersen, Brother-in-law Jim (Marilyn) Bondesen as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces/nephews & a variety of friends and family. Lowell lost his life at the farm he loved so much as the result of a tractor accident on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, July 31, 2022 at the United Methodist Church, Hurley. Visitation will start at 1:00 PM. Burial with military honors at the Hurley Cemetery. The family invites you to wear John Deere green and jeans to the service, or whatever you prefer.
