Randy “Bud” Lowe, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64, at his childhood home in Minneapolis, MN, on Friday morning, August 11, 2017. He was a gentle, loving and caring man, who loved being around family. Randy’s sense of humor and hardy laugh lit up any room that he entered.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, August 16 at 5 pm, with a time of gathering starting at 3 pm, followed by a reception, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee. Pastor Violet Larson will preside. Pall bearers will be Harm Alken, Kasey Karger, Jacob Yamauchi, Kevin Tweet, David Elftmann and Phillip Ingerson. Randy will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, August 18, with military honors provided by the Fort Snelling Volunteer Riffle Squad.
Randy James was born on September 9, 1952 and the son of Roy and Dorothy (Miller) Lowe. Born and raised in Minneapolis, he attended school and even dappled in playing hockey during his high school years. After graduating from high school, Randy enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served during the Vietnam War.
Returning to the states, Randy attended a Vo-tech earning an agricultural degree. He owned and operated for several years a landscape business in Pequot Lakes. Coming back to Minneapolis, Randy worked many years at Ringer Corporation, a fertilizer business in Eden Prairie. But through the years and well into his retirement, his knowledge of agriculture was best used in his love of gardening in his own yard. Randy was extremely proud of his accomplishments designing, creating and tending to the garden master pieces. He found great comfort and peace playing in the dirt and even building of his worm farm!
Over the years, Randy worked various other jobs: driving truck for Shakopee Valley Printing, supervisor for Mystic Lake and in the past decade working the counter and delivery of auto parts for various companies. Randy’s last career was as a supervisor for Enterprise Car Rental, at the Minneapolis airport.
Unbeknown to Randy, the paths of his past, led him to the richest part of his life. The love and companionship of Debra Jean Trebesch. Deb was immediately attracted to his great sense of humor and his belly laugh, but it was his respect, love and politeness that were his best qualities. After almost a decade of being together, Randy and Deb decided to tie the knot. On a beautiful day of August 26, 1995, they declared their love to each other at a ceremony in Deb’s mother’s backyard. At the same time, Randy became the loving and true father figure to her children, Toni, Kristy and Kasey.
Randy had many interests and hobbies. He became an avid NASCAR and Jimmy Johnson fan. Randy enjoyed watching family race at Raceway Park in Shakopee, as well as, taping the races for the drivers. He was a sport enthusiast, especially for the Minnesota Vikings and Gophers. Randy enjoyed playing Cribbage, attending state fairs and celebrating his birthday each year at Jesse James Days. Randy became a QVC junky, he loved to cook and share recipes with people. Randy had a fond interest in trains, the laughs of comedians, the music of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbinson. A trivia buff, everyone wanted him on their team, for Randy knew all the answers. He enjoyed photography, bird watching and the shows of Netflix. He had a special love to animals, especially his dogs.
The greatest enjoyment and passion was of family. Randy relished being a husband, dad, papa, brother-in-law and uncle!!! As a family, they enjoyed camping, fishing and just being together. He was even present for the birth of his nephew, Jacob. But the greatest joy was watching and interacting with his grandchildren. The last few years, Randy’s health had declined, limiting access to family events. So, when he could attend the gathering made them even more special. On February 5, 2016, Randy’s mother passed away. He and Deb moved back into his childhood home, where they have spent the last year remodeling and creating special memories of their own.
Left to carry on his legacy is his wife, Deb; children, Toni Karger, Kristy (Dustin) Steeby, Kasey (Lindsey) Karger; grandchildren, Maison, Madeline, Arista, Laney, Gage, Kenzington-Jo, Adriannah-Jean; sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws, Ron (Jovi) Trebesch, Scott Trebesch, Le (Michael) Johnson, Janelle (Harm) Alken; four-legged friends, Frankie, Chloe and Honey; other relatives and friends.
Randy is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gary Lowe. There was a special welcome home in heaven to him from his parents-in-law, Dennis and Marge Elftmann.
Proudly caring and serving the Lowe family is Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
