Jan. 25, 1933 – Jan. 3, 2025
Lowell Ronald Wilde of Grass Valley, CA entered peacefully into rest on January 3, 2025. Lowell was born during a blizzard on January 25, 1933 on a farm home near Oldham, SD to Kenneth Wilde and Myra March Wilde. He joined his brother Robert and sister Virginia. They lived in Alcester, SD when he was a young child. His dad had a small trucking business and Lowell learned to drive a truck when he was 12 years old. From Alcester they moved to a home in Lake Preston SD where he attended a country school and Lake Preston High School. His first love was football, which he played in high school, and upon graduation played at Huron College in SD. In October 1953, during his junior of college, he was drafted into the Army near the end of the Korean War. He attended basic training at Ft Riley, KS where he continued playing football. Upon completion of basic training, he was stationed at Ft Leonardwood, MO and married his high school sweetheart Shirley Jensen on August 18, 1954. They lived at Ft Leonardwood until Lowell was honorably discharged in October 1955. Upon discharge, they went back to Lake Preston where son Jeff was born. In December they moved to Southern California where they lived for 2 years. In 1957 they moved to San Jose, CA where he was employed by Pacific Telephone and Telegraph as an engineer. While in San Jose, they were blessed with 4 more children, Jeanne, Ken, Barbie, and Denise. After 18 years in San Jose, Lowell transferred to Sacramento. They moved to their dream home in Grass Valley in June 1976.
Lowell coached softball and little league, he played senior league softball, loved the outdoors, and helping his family and neighbors. He led by example and was always there when needed. He was committed to donating blood and exceeded the 40 gallon mark. Lowell belonged to the Knights of Columbus. With his good friend Delbert Hedges, they upgraded and maintained the St Patrick’s cemeteries. Additionally, the dynamic duo were integral assets to the Interfaith Food Ministry Program for many years.
Upon retirement, Lowell and Shirley spent many years traveling and especially enjoyed meeting friends and old classmates at Spring Training in Arizona.
Lowell is survived by his wife Shirley of 70 years. Five children: Jeff Wilde (Victoria), Jeanne Wilde (Coleen), Ken Wilde (Winni), Barbie Long (Matt), Denise Chatigny (Philip). He was a cherished grandpa to 9 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Myra Wilde, his sister Barbara, brother Bob, and sister Virginia. Lowell was a very giving and unselfish person. He will be missed dearly and loved forever by all his family and friends.
A vigil service for Lowell will be held on Sunday, January 19th at 4:00pm at Hooper & Weaver Mortuary. A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 20th at 10:30 am at Saint Patrick’s Church in Grass Valley. In lieu of flowers, Lowell’s family respectfully request donations in his memory to: Hospice of the Foothills, Grass Valley CA 95945.
