Robert "Bob" David Loewen Sr.

Robert “Bob” David Loewen Sr., age 91, of Brownsdale, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at his home in Brownsdale. Bob was born on December 13, 1932, in Buffalo, Minnesota, to David and Marie (Peters) Loewen. Bob grew up in Alsen, North Dakota, in a farming community. He enjoyed farming with the horses, and he particularly loved dogs. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Torpedoman on the Destroyer, USS Brush, during the Korean War. Bob proudly served our country until his honorable discharge in 1955. 

At 16, Bob met Maxine Ione Adams, and six years later the couple began a relationship that would span the next 70 years. Bob and Maxine were married on May 22, 1954, at Fountain Park United Methodist Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and were blessed with three children. In January 1956, Bob and Maxine moved to Austin, Minnesota. Here he began working as a carpenter and helped build homes in the surrounding area. Bob worked hard to obtain his journeyman carpenter status. He found joy in purchasing homes for his family to live in, remodeling them top to bottom, and then moving on to the next home. In November 1961, Bob began working at the Austin Fire Department as a fireman and paramedic. He worked there until his retirement in June of 1982. Bob was a hard worker and never without a job even after he retired. In his downtime, he loved fishing, especially walleye and trout, and his annual fishing trips up north with his family. In his later years when he was no longer able to go up north, Bob found comfort in the outdoors at his home. He took great care of his yard, gardens, and flowers. Most of all, Bob was especially proud of his family; he adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a kind and gentle man who was able to sit quietly and pick out the uniqueness in each individual. We will love and miss him forever. 

Bob is survived by his wife, Maxine; children, Cynthia (Donovan) Drake, Kim (Arleigh) Wangen, Robert Jr. (Becky) Loewen; grandchildren, Lacy Wangen, Rose (Ethan) Roebuck, Robert (Isabel) Loewen III, Hannah Wangen, Gabrielle (Nick) Jones, Amanda Loewen, Matthew (Mary) Loewen, Isaac (Nancy) Wangen, and Alex Loewen; great-grandchildren, Calvary Bickett, Sarity Bickett, Arianna Jones, Alice Roebuck, Elyzah Bickett, Evangeline Jones, Poema Bickett, Arlo Roebuck; brother-in-law, John (Doreen) Adams; and sister-in-law, Roseann Laue. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Marie; brothers, Arthur (Myrtle) Loewen, Cliff (Hilda) Loewen, and Harry (JoAnne) Loewen; and brother-in-law, Roger Laue.

The funeral service for Bob will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Sargeant, Minnesota, with Rev. Marc Freiberg officiating. The visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. The visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery, Austin, Minnesota. Bob’s family encourages you to remember him through his love of the outdoors by planting a tree in his memory. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.