Obituary of Lowell Gene Bye

Lowell Gene Bye, 68, passed a way Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Douglas County Memorial Hospital in Armour under Avera Hospice Care. Lowells corneas were donated to the Dakota Lions Eye Bank.  Funeral service will be Thursday, January 23 at 10:30 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stickney.  Visitation will be Wednesday, January 22 from 5 to 7 pm, with a 6:30 pm prayer service, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stickney.  Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Armour.

Lowell, the youngest of four siblings, was born in Armour, SD on December 18, 1956 to Bruce and Arleen (Haugum) Bye. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church at the time of his death.

Lowell, a 1975 graduate of Corsica High School, grew up on a farm northwest of Corsica. On March 26, 1983, he was united in marriage to Merna Rolf. Lowell and Merna resided in Corsica until 1985 when they moved out to the farm where Lowell grew up. To this union two sons were born: Trevor Gene and Adam Lowell. He farmed along side his dad for many years until his dad's retirement. Lowell continued his love for farming along with a group of daring guys who formed Frontier Leasing in 2001. He went by the CB handle "Denver" and there was never a lunch that did not have a "Little Debbie" Snack Cake in it.

Lowell enjoyed bowling, golfing, riding motorcycle and looked forward to the annual trek to the Black Hills in August and riding with his wife, family and friends. Although he had a strong dislike for airports, Lowell enjoyed traveling with Merna and their good friends Dale and Arleen Weerheim. He enjoyed playing pinohle, watching races, NFL games and was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos. He enjoyed attending and watching his sons play sports and although he didn't get to see alot of his grandchildren's activities, he was always there in thought. He served on the CHS Board beginning in 1995 and became the president of the Farmers Alliance Board in 2011. He served in this capacity until January 2022 when he resigned due to his health conditions. In prior years he also served on the church council.

Lowell was very maticulous about having his shop and tools in order and always wanted them back where they were found. He had a sign in his shop that read "if you got tools, they better not be mine!" He liked to have clean vehicles and although he didn't mind when the boys had to borrow one of them - he appreciated the vehicles returned clean and some gas in the tank. Lowell was a man of few words, slow to anger and loved his family dearly through all the ups and downs. On December 24, 2020 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He fought a hard battle and maintained a great attitude but when the cancer returned he knew his time was getting near and opted to not receive any more treatment but to place it in God's hands. Lowell and Merna moved off the farm in April 2024 to a house in the south part of Corsica - a determination he wanted to make before his health failed further.

Survivors include his wife Merna of 42 years. Sons - Trevor (granddaughter Everleigh Grace), Adam (granddaughter Reminington Mae) and Bentlee Myott who he considered as his grandson. Sisters - Audrey (Jim) Handsel - Lola Mae (Pat) Cranny, nephew Darin (Anna) Cranny and family, niece Nicole (Craig) Roth and family - Renee (Jim) Spaans, nephew Kyle (Krysta) Spaan and family. Cousins Norman and Kurt Bye and Pam (Joe) Nemmers and faimly. As well as many other extended family members on both Lowell and his wife's side along with neighbors and friends.

Those preceding him in death were his grandparents, father Bruce (1998), mother Arleen in (2021), uncle Mervin (Darlene) Bye and his beloved French Bulldog "Odie" whose cremains were buried with his master. Many other extended relatives, and friends also preceded him in death.

The family would like to thank and express it's upmost appreciation for the care and love shown our family over the past 4 years by the DCMH, Sanford Health and Prairie Health Clinics. Most recent the Avera Hospice staff and Douglas County Hospital Staff for their guidance and amazing compassionate care given to our loved one and our family.

A slideshow will be posted as soon as it is completed.