Lowell Lester Ross

Lowell Lester Ross was born on July 27, 1923 in New Ulm, MN the son of Edwin and Hildur Gustafson Ross. He grew up in Winthrop, MN and graduated from New Ulm High School. Lowell then served in the United States Navy during WWII receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. He studied at the University of Minnesota graduating with a Bachelor's Degree followed later by a Master's Degree in Agricultural Education and Farm Management. He married Joyce Kuhn on October 16, 1948 and moved to Albert Lea in 1949. Lowell taught in District 241 for 34 years. Lowell lived his life with passion for the land through various activities: teaching agriculture to both high school and adult students, farming, land stewardship, and water management. Following teaching he worked as an insurance adjuster, seed certifier, and later with county water quality and related activities. Lowell served as an agricultural consultant to the City of Albert Lea. He also worked as a drainage specialist for southern Minnesota counties. Lowell was involved in local, state, and national Agricultural Associations: the Freeborn County Fair Board, the State Fair Miracle of Birth and FFA Center, a member of the Zoning Appeals Board Agriculture Committee, and a member of the Albert Lea Lake Improvement. In 1971 Lowell was the "National FFA Advisor of the Year". He was active in Ascension Lutheran Church where he had formerly served as the church council president. He was a founding member and first president of the Good Earth Village Lutheran Bible Camp. An important part of Lowell's life was filled with community service: the Chamber of Commerce, the VFW, the American Legion, and Kiwanis. Lowell especially enjoyed driving for the Ride Service Program. Lowell has enjoyed extensive worldwide travel to visit family and educational travel through the Elder Hostel. Survivors include his children Kurt Becky Ross of Sioux City, IA, Susan Ross VanRuth of Palm Beach, Australia, Cindy Jeff Lundgren of Zimmerman, MN, Mary Ross Griff Nordling, of Bayfield, WI, Kent Teri Ross of Faribault, MN, and Chet Ross of Albert Lea; grandchildren Chris Cindy Ross, Michael Stacey Ross, Laura Uriah Norris, Stephanie Ross, Freya Justin Skinner, Haidee VanRuth, Amber Kent McGuire, Anna Nathan Smith, Clara Lundgren, Eva and Samuel Nordling, Paige Jeff Fromm, Eli Holly Ross, Susan, Jeffrey, and Justin Ross; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters Virginia Fluegge of Alexandria, Garnette Stolt of Baudette, MN, Audrey Amundson of Starbuck, MN, and Darlene Klause, of Aitkin, MN; sister-in-law Mildred Ross of Winthrop, MN, and many nieces and nephews. Lowell was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce, his brother Garfield Ross, and his sister LaVerna Fluegge. If desired, memorials may be directed to the Good Earth Village or the Minnesota FFA Foundation.