Obituary of Monroe Lee Loewen
Monroe Lee Loewen was born on February 17, 1936 at Swalwell, AB to Henry and Helena Toews Loewen. He passed away peacefully at Ridgevalley Home, Crooked Creek, AB in the early morning hours of December 1, 2021 with family around him. Dad grew up mainly in the Swalwell area with his parents and 9 siblings and attended school to grade 9. Starting at a young age, he worked for neighboring farmers. Later he trained as an auto mechanic which was his work for many years.
In his youth, Dad gave his heart to God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Linden, AB, remaining true to God and the Church for the rest of his life. Dad had many health issues throughout his life but he didn’t let that get him down. He had hepatitis before he was married and at one time was told by the doctor to not plan to make his living with manual labor. He took his mechanic training after this and worked hard the rest of his life until he retired. Dad enjoyed keeping busy and would work on vehicles for family and friends after he retired as long as he was able. When he moved to Ridgevalley Home, he took his tools with him because they were a part of who he was even though it was unlikely he would be able to do any mechanic work. Dad could fix anything, even things that weren’t supposed to be fixable.
Dad married Mom, Alice Bronson, on June 30, 1959; they enjoyed more than 62 years together. They were blessed with 5 sons and 5 daughters. His children and grandchildren were very dear to him. Family devotions were important and he often encouraged his family to faithfulness.
Dad and Mom met while Mom was teaching school at Sunchild mission in Alberta. They later spent a year together at Sunchild, Dad driving school bus while Mom taught school, giving Dad a chance to heal from hepatitis. They moved many times in the early years while Dad worked in road construction, and seasonal work such as at lumber camps. They raised their family mainly in Crooked Creek, then moved to the Hague, SK congregation in 1993. In 2008, they moved to Spiritwood, SK and became part of the Leoville congregation. Dad was a quiet man, not enjoying the spotlight but was looked up to as a father and grandfather figure in the congregations of Hague and Leoville.
A highlight of Dad and Mom’s life was helping host vacation Bible school teachers each summer for 15 years while living in the Hague area. They made many friendships during that time and felt fulfilled in serving in the community. After moving to Spiritwood, together they volunteered in the long term care facility, Dad visiting with the men and Mom singing with the ladies.
In 2017, as Dad’s health began to fail, Dad and Mom decided to move back to Crooked Creek to Ridgevalley Home where he received excellent care until his passing. Dad and Mom had both been concerned about how the other would manage if they were left behind, but after moving to Ridgevalley Home, this concern was relaxed and they never regretted this move.
Dad’s health continued to fail and we thought several times we were losing him. He often spoke of wanting to go home to heaven but expressed a willingness to stay if God wasn’t ready to take him. The song “Light at the River” was special to him in the last years.
Those left behind are his loving wife, Alice, his children: Murray and Marj, Spiritwood, SK; Byron and Irene, Neilburg, SK; Rodney and Clarinda, Las Vegas, NM; Norma, Spiritwood, SK; Rita and Brent Penner Moundridge, KS; Arlin and Gloria, Crooked Creek, AB; Della and Brad Dirks, Rich Hill, MO; Denise and Andy Schellenberg, Pine River, MB; Linden (Max), Salisbury, MD; Margi and Jeremy Regehr, Carstairs, AB; thirty-four grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren. Siblings Don Loewen and Lucille, Edmonton, AB; Mary, Verna, both of Linden, AB; Marj Friesen, Crooked Creek, AB; Jean Toews, Calgary, AB; Gary and Dolores, Pilot Mound, MB. In-laws Verna Loewen, Valleyview, AB; Lillian Loewen, Linden, AB; Roy Bronson, Linden, AB; Lillian Bronson, Roblin, MB; Pearl Bronson, Crooked Creek, AB; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Those gone before are his parents, his parents-in-law, brothers Paul and Alvin, sister Eleanor, 7 brothers-in-law and 6 sisters-in-law.
We as a family would like to express our profound gratitude for the professional and loving care that Dad received from the staff at Ridgevalley Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Monroe Lee Loewen 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Linden, Province: Alberta