Richard Lowater

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 6 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel with a Masonic Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m.

SERVICE:

2 p.m., Thursday, January 7 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 3214 WI-70, Draper, WI

Richard Harrison "Dick" Lowater, 80, of Winter, WI, formerly of Chippewa Falls, died Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System- Eau Claire.

He was born January 8, 1935 in Spring Valley to Donald and Florence (Upman) Lowater. He grew up in Spring Valley and moved to Chippewa Falls in 1951 and graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1953.

He continued his education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN for two years, then attended Dunwoody Institute for one year. In 1957, Dick went to work for his dad at Lowater's Auto Parts in Chippewa Falls. In 1960, he bought Fuel Service, and in 1972, partnered with Jack Salden to become D.J.'s Mart. Together, they owned and operated 13 stores and in 1992, Dick retired and sold his share to Jack; and sold his auto parts business to his sons, Peter and Richard II.

On March 1, 1975, he married Myrtle Edstrom. Together they loved to travel. In retirement, Dick bought a motorhome and he and Myrt traveled nearly every state, including Alaska. They bought property in Arizona, where they enjoyed spending their winters. They also traveled to Hawaii, Jamaica, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Switzerland.

In his younger years, Dick was very involved with his son's activities, especially motocross and snowmobiling. Friday nights were for going to watch the kids race, traveling as far as Buffalo, New York.

He was a member of the Chippewa Shrine Club, Tripoli Shrine Club, Chippewa Falls Masonic Lodge #176 F & AM, and served on the Board of Directors for Welco Warehouse in Minneapolis. Dick had a beautiful voice and sang in community and church choirs.

Dick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Myrt; children, Dick (Kristi) Lowater, Pete (Kathy) Lowater, Julie (Steve) Hugdahl, Carol (Mark) Hoage, Mark (Mary Grace) Olson, Linda Olson, Patti (Steve) Leahy, Paula (Tim) Haws, and Kari (Rick) Blum; 40 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Florence; sister, Donna Bernklau; and grandchildren, Abigail Lowater and Joey Thornton.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, January 7 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 3214 WI-70, Draper, WI with Pastor Terri Blomberg officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 6 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls with a Masonic Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday.