Lowell Edward Hellie

Lowell Edward Hellie was born on Wednesday, June 10, 1925 to Henry and Clara (Loe) Hellie on their farm in Sandnes Township, Hanley Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church. He attended country school until 6th grade, then attended Cottonwood High School until his graduation in 1943. He continued to help his father farm until Henry passed away in 1949, and then Lowell took over the entire farming operation. He married Gladys Schlemmer in 1951, and to this union were born three sons, Thomas, Curtis, and Peter. Lowell continued to farm until 1987 when asthma, then later, cancer, required his retirement. In 1989, he and Gladys moved to Cottonwood and Peter and Joy purchased the century old Hellie farm site. After retirement, Lowell kept a large garden and enjoyed sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors. Lowell did a lot of hunting in his early years and always enjoyed watching sporting events. He often traveled before his marriage, and this continued afterward. He and Gladys took their family on many road trips, toured many states, and also traveled to Europe. He enjoyed reading, especially the various local newspapers and farming magazines. Lowell was a supervisor on the Sandnes Township Board. He was active at Yellow Medicne Lutheran Church, singing in the choir, serving on the church council, and teaching 9th grade Sunday school. He also enjoyed the various Bible studies. In 2011, he and Gladys joined Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. On Monday, March 7, 2016, Lowell passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall, Minnesota at the age of 90 years, 8 months, and 26 days. He is survived by his wife, Gladys; sons, Thomas (Julie Olds) of McMinnville, OR, Curtis of Asheville, NC, (Shelly) of Chicago, IL), and Peter (Joy) of Hanley Falls; five grandchildren, Jade (Rob) Huizenga, Jonas (Jamie), Zachary (Jana), Andrew (Maria), and Kate Hellie; four great granddaughters, Ashlyn, Ivy, and Lily Huizenga, and Kilynn Hellie; sister-in-law Edith; and many loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Charles, and sisters, Corinne (Arthur) Davidson, and Janet (Norman) Barth. Blessed be his memory.