Lowell Bloomquist Erdman aged 89 died peacefully at home on January 17, 2015.
He was born November 1, 1925 in St. Paul, MN. He spent his early years attending First Lutheran Church with his family. He sang in the choir and was confirmed by Pastor Milton in 1941. It was there he came to love the sound of a pipe organ and learned of salvation. Summers were spent at Bay Lake Camp.
Lowell was drafted at 17 years of age in 1943 and was a medic while stationed in England during World War II. He received an honorable discharge.
After returning from the war he met his lifelong love Caroll on a blind date. At the time of his passing they had been married 63 years and 11 months.They spent the years raising their seven children in the North St. Paul/Maplewood area.
Summers with the family included fishing "up north" and 4th of July in Spicer with family.
Lowell loved his record player and would often play "Stars and Stripes Forever" or another Sousa march at full volume on Saturday mornings to get the children to wake up and start their Saturday chores. Music was plentiful in the home and his interest was varied. It included Readers Digest record collections, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Wynton Marsailes trumpet concertos, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, Beethoven's Fifth and many other Classical interests, Merle Haggard, The Gaithers and KTIS radio to name just a few.
Lowell retired as a Foreman from the underground division of Northern States Power Company (now XCEL Energy) in 1980. He was a 65 year member of IBEW Local 23. He and Caroll spent several winters volunteering at JAARS, a support group for Wylcliffe Bible Translators, in Waxhaw North Carolina. They preferred to spend retirement serving others.
Summers during retirement were spent near Ely until they moved there full time in 2001. They returned home to the Twin Cities in the spring of 2013.
Lowell was a devoted husband and father. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was not afraid to laugh at himself. He could fix almost anything and often visited Trader Craig's consignment store in Ely to find something to work on. A trip to the Dairy Queen was often on the days agenda. Lowell served on the board of Eagles Nest Lake Association and a favorite activity was lunch out with the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out).
In his later years he got his own sewing machine and spent his time making jean quilts with Caroll.
His warm smile and hugs will be missed by all who knew him (and even some who didn't). Lowell's faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior was the most important thing in his life. Lowell started life with knowledge of Jesus, it moved from his head to his heart when he was 49 years old. Lowell is a testimony of a life touched by grace and transformed by love. Those who cared for him in his final days gave testimony of a love that emanated from him even as he lay dying.
He is survived by his wife Caroll (Gustrud), sister Laurene Mikkelson (Dirk), daughter Mariann Stangeland of White Bear Lake, daughter Betty Schultz (Mike) of North St. Paul, son David (Lee) of Lake Elmo, son John (Carrie) of St. Paul, son Paul of St. Paul, daughter Nancy Schwartz (Jim) of Ely, daughter Leann Bain (Drew) of Roseville, and chosen daughter Mary Richardson of St. Paul.
Grandchildren: Barbara (Scott) Sammons, Joshua Schultz, Holly Schultz, Samuel Schultz, Micah Schultz, Rachel Schultz, Michael (MaryAnn) Schwartz, Matthew (Kari) Schwartz, Melissa (Kalen) Jahnke, John Erdman Jr., Nicole Erdman, and Hannah Bain.
Great grandchildren: Claire & Ava Sammons, Wolfgang & Atticus Wills, Amber & Jake Schultz, Dakota Patterson , Tylor, Thaoden & Daniel Schwartz, Jacob & Ellie Schwartz, Bennett Jahnke.
In laws: Beverly and Roger Valentine of Spicer, MN, and Dennis & Jaoe Gustrud of Spicer, MN/Bangkok Thailand.
Nieces & Nephews: Wendy Valentine, Dan (Tracey) Valentine, Krissy Valentine, Scott Mikkelson, Kristen (Brian) Deuber, Kari (Don) Stinespring and Andrew Gustrud.
He is preceded in death by sister Ruth, parents Alfred and Elin Erdman and sons-in-law Duane Heacock and Joel Stangeland.
Visitation at Sandberg Funeral Home, 2593 E. 7th Ave., North St. Paul, Wednesday, January 21, from 4:00-7:00 pm. Memorial Service at First Lutheran Church, 463 Maria Avenue, St. Paul, Thursday, January 22, 12 Noon, with visitation 1 hour prior. Private Interment Fort Snelling. Memorials preferred.