Lowell Warner McCracken

December 1, 1928 - November 12, 2015

Lowell Warner McCracken, 86, passed away in the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa on Thursday, November 12, 2015. He was born to Preston and Margaret Welch McCracken on Saturday, December 1, 1928 in Cedar, Iowa. He attended Cedar school for eight years. His family moved to a farm south of Eddyville and he graduated from Eddyville High School in 1946. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy. The first three and one half years of his service he worked with the SEABEES (Navy construction battalion) as a steel worker and welder. During that period of time he worked on the Islands of Atu and Adak in the Aleutian chain. He then served on the Islands of Guam and Okinawa, building drum cleaning plants and ammunition dumps. He served on the USS Salerno Bay aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. He was released from active duty in late 1952. He married Lois Scott in 1951 and they were the parents of Michael Paul and Dana Patrick. He began a welding job at John Deere and farmed south of Eddyville. In 1954, he started farming full time. He also did custom corn shelling while farming. In 1955, the Des Moines Register ran a story about Lowell being the last veteran in the state of Iowa to finish the G.I. farm school for WW ll. In 1966, he was appointed temporary mail carrier for five years. In 1971, he started his banking career at South Ottumwa Savings Bank as a farm loan officer. During his banking career he belonged to many different organizations and received several awards and honors including being honored by the Iowa State University extension service, for his outstanding service in the banking field. He will be remembered for his understanding the farmer’s needs during the farm crisis, being a good listener and for using common sense. In 1987, he married Lois Baxter Norris. In 1989, he retired from the farm and moved to Fremont. In 1997, he left South Ottumwa Savings Bank and joined the First Iowa State Bank of Albia, where he worked up until his illness. He enjoyed his banking career very much. Lowell is a member of the United Methodist Church of Fremont, a life member of The American Legion Post 34 of Oskaloosa and was a long time board of director for the Fremont Funeral Chapel, and was a member of the Lions. Many would compare him to a mighty Oak, stable, firm in his beliefs and roots dedicated to his family and a shelter to those who needed him. He enjoyed family and spending winters in Florida. He is survived by his wife Lois, his son Michael, wife Denise, of Safety Harbor, Florida, grandson Christian, son Dana and wife Jan from Wilson, North Carolina, grand daughter Hannah and grandson Jack, step daughter Lori and husband Perry Middlesworth of Fremont, Iowa, and grand daughter Nicole, husband Ty, great grand daughters Sayde and Layne, grand daughter Jalene, husband Matt, great grandson Flint. Step daughter Lynn and husband Warren McGlothlen of Albia, Iowa, grandson RJ. Sister-in- law Beverly McCracken and Freda McCracken. Nephews Gene McCracken, Scott McCracken, Ken Grandia, Larry Grandia, Don Grandia, Robert Grandia, Doyle McCracken, Darwin McCracken; nieces, Marcia Albertson and Michele Baker. Also many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Worth, Willard and sister Mary Francis and Michael and Dana’s mother Lois Scott. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. in the Fremont United Methodist Church with Reverend Bob Voels officiating. Burial will be in the Cedar Township Memorial Cemetery south of Fremont. Visitation will begin Friday after 12 noon in the Fremont Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel Friday from 5 - 8 P.M. to greet friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mahaska Hospice or Fremont United Methodist Church.