This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Lowell Skarie, 72 years old, born on December 15, 1948, and passed away on February 22, 2021. He was Loved in Life and will be forever missed, carried in our hearts. Official Obituary:
Lowell Keith Skarie, 72, passed away on Monday, February 22nd, 2021 in A Hospital in Mesa, Arizona, due to a heart attack as a result of medical complications. He went peacefully with little suffering. Lowell was born on December 15th, 1948, in Detroit Lakes, MN, to Phillip Keith Skarie, and Leora Valentine Skarie. He also joined 1 older brother, Vernon Phillip Skarie.
On April 26th, 1968, he Married his wife, Carol Steichen . The couple moved for a few years to Long Beach, California, before moving back to Fargo, North Dakota, and eventually settling in a home in Horace, North Dakota, where they bought their home. In 1975, they had their first and only child. Lowell had several jobs, including working at the farm of a family friend in his teenage years, running the Horace Gas station after moving to the town for a few years, and ultimately Working for the majority of his life with Burlington Northern Railroad. (now BNSF), mostly as a Travelling Mechanic, spending many long days travelling out of town, including several years in Iowa and Illinois. He worked many years with the railroad, until he was forced to retire due to health conditions that affected the use of his hands.
Lowell was never a stranger to hard work, and loved to keep busy. During his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, watching races on television, playing games, reading westerns, and spent many hours and weekends with his brother at his house in the country near Horace, taking care of the property, building shops, and working on Cars together. His favorite one that he loved to drive was a '62 Ford Galaxy Convertible. They also worked on mustangs and of course all of the family cars in between. There was never any shortage of Fords in the family collection! For several years when He was younger, Lowell also joined local racing, in West Fargo, and did really well. He was never a big sports fan but loved racing and watching professional racing on weekends. After retiring, Lowell enjoyed spending more time at home, especially taking care of the property, mowing, helping out family with maintenance, and growing tomato plants in the summertime.
Lowell was a very quiet person at times, not always the easiest to get to know, but he would always be the first one to help anyone out. He believed in helping friends and family no matter what, That family was important. He would be the first to open the door for someone who needs it, give up his seat to an elderly person, open his wallet to help a friend in need, lend a hand and a home to family. He did not have an easy life, and had to make it through so many tough times, including those in his childhood, injuring his hand on the job, divorcing, loosing his brother to cancer, and loosing the property he'd spent so much of his life on. Not to mention dealing with a progressing illness, but he always worked very hard to make sure his family was taken care of, never giving up no matter what. He showed us all that the simple things are what really matter the most. In his final years he began travelling to Arizona to get away from the harsh winters in North Dakota, enabling him to go on walks for his health, and to meet all kinds of new people there, something he enjoyed. Always he was still eager to get back to North Dakota in the spring, to enjoy the fields and the grass and the trees. He always loved taking the scenic routs and appreciating nature, especially the countryside and farms.
Lowell was a devoted brother, a loving and caring father, a supportive uncle, a great friend, and a good neighbor. He was loved and will be missed so much by us all, we will keep him with us in our hearts. He has given us so much more than he ever knew. We hope he will always know that love and peace he deserves, in Gods hands until we meet again.
Lowell is survived by his Daughter, Renae Skarie, Nephew Matthew Skarie, Niece Michelle Meza (all in ND), sister in law June Skarie (Arizona), and divorced spouse Carol Skarie (Steichen), along with many cousins and extended family and friends. He was Preceded in death by his brother, Vernon Skarie, Parents, Leora and Phillip Skarie, and Grandparents.
Due to current circumstances there will be no formal funeral held, instead please feel free to share any words on this page. Anyone wishing to give any support in his name is asked instead to please make a donation in his name, to the Salvation Army, or the local VFW, causes that he always supported.
