Raymond Albert Lower

Raymond A. Lower, 92, of Arlington, Iowa, died Friday afternoon, April 10, 2015 at the Elkader Care Center in Elkader, Iowa.

Graveside Service: 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington with Pastor Julie Ahrens officiating.
Visitation: 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington.
Inurnment: Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington, Iowa with military honors by the Dean-Harkin American Legion Post #219 of Arlington, Iowa.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Raymond Albert Lower was born August 23, 1922 on a farm west of Arlington, the son of Albert Leo and Katherine Lucille (Cornelson) Lower. He attended country school in rural Arlington and graduated from Maynard High School. Raymond proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II. On February 9, 1947, he married Maxine Welch. To this union three children were born. Twin daughters, Susan and Sally and a son Greg. They later divorced. In February of 1949, Raymond went to work in the railway mail services and transferred to rural carrier in Arlington in 1956. On September 24, 1977, he married Darlene Florence Squires at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington. In 1986 he retired from the United States Postal Service. Raymond served on the Arlington Fire Department for 20years and as president and secretary of Fayette County Rural Letter Carriers. He was a lifelong member of the Dean-Harkin American Legion Post #219 of Arlington. Raymond enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, gardening, cutting wood and helping farmer friends. He also enjoyed the many letters and phone calls from his brother in the Philippines.

Raymond is survived by his twin daughters, Susan Lower of Des Moines and
Sally Bowman of Indianola;
son, Greg (Becky) Lower of Volga;
3 grandchildren, Jeremy Bowman, Jacob Lower and Kaitlin Lower;
2 great-grandchildren, Julian Bowman and Matilda (Blodgett) Bowman;
1 brother, Larry Lower of the Philippines;
and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife on June 2, 2012; and 4 sisters, Leona Bachmen, Mildred Youngblut, Anna Palmer and Edna Menke.