Obituary of Michael Curtis Lowe

Michael Curtis Lowe, 72, of Villisca, Iowa passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

Known to everyone as Mike, he was born in Clarinda, Iowa and a 1970 graduate of Villisca Community High School. He married a childhood friend, Bonnie McAlister, and to this union was born Amy, whom he dearly loved.

Mike admired his father and tried to live up to his dad's expectations of decency, fair play, and kindness. A part of that admiration made him a frequent blood donor, including apheresis.  As a final act, he was an organ donor.

While Mike worked several types of jobs over the years, his main employment was in body shops. He owned his own collision center in Flagstaff, AZ and later in Villisca. While working in this trade he modified and invented tools to improve the restoration process. For another invention, he received a U.S. patent for a baled hay hauler. A warehouse of second-hand merchandise on the south side of the Villisca square kept Mike busy in recent years. With a witty sense of humor and knowledge on a wide range of subjects, Mike could engage almost anyone in an intelligent conversation that frequently included a laugh, or at least a big grin. Mike loved his family, his dog, Dale, Ford cars and trucks, but especially loved his daughter.

He was predeceased by his father, Howard "Red" Lowe.

Mike is survived by his beloved daughter Amy and son-in-law Brandon McBride, his mother, Helen (Rockwell) Lowe, his sisters, Teri Lowe and Meri Kernen, nieces Michelle Dixon and Miranda Faubion, grandniece Addison Jean Kernen, grandnephews Tanner Curtis Dixon, Treynor Michael Dixon, John Regan Faubion, Jackie David Faubion, cousins and friends. Mike’s canine companion Dale is also left behind