The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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November 23, 2009

Lowell Parsons

Lowell W. Parsons, 89, of Rochester, died Sunday November 22, 2009, at his home.

Born September 27, 1920, in Clemons, Iowa, to Ward and Reba Parsons, he later moved to Good Thunder, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school. He attended Mankato State Teachers College and then operated his own blacksmith shop before moving to Seattle where he worked as a welder in the shipyards during WWII. He returned to Minnesota and married Nadene Geak on July 29, 1945, in Good Thunder. A welder and steamfitter the rest of his life, he worked mainly for Swarts Brothers and C&S; Plumbing & Heating. He is a 57 year member of the United Association, a member of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #6, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, The Osman Shrine, and a Past Master of the Bethel Lodge in Lake Crystal, MN. He was the Rochester Shrine Club Shriner of the Year in 2005. He proudly drove the cart in numerous parades for the Rochester Dragon Patrol and twice was their Shriner of the Year. Lowell and Nadene enjoyed their golden years in Lakeview Arkansas where Lowell fished every day and enjoyed bible studies and social gatherings with many friends through their church. He also enjoyed staying at the family cabin near Wabasha where he fished the backwaters and fed and watched the birds. He was a member of Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester.

Lowell is survived by his wife, daughters Carla Ward of Rochester and Lily (Kirk) Bartz of Plainview, eight granddaughters, 4 great-grandsons, 2 great-granddaughters, and brother Dale of Vernon Center, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant daughters.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009, at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester or one hour before the funeral service. A Masonic service will be held at 7:15 p.m. at Macken on Tuesdsay. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens following the service.

The family requests memorials to the Shriner’s Childrens Hospital.

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