Wayne Lowden

Wayne F. Lowden, 89, a lifelong resident of Davenport, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at home, surrounded by loved ones.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2014 at Memorial Park, Davenport, Iowa. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Handicapped Development Center, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, or the Alzheimer’s Association. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements.

Wayne was born on September 14, 1925 in Davenport, Iowa, the son and only child of Frederick and Elinor (Zinger) Lowden. A child of the Great Depression, Wayne began delivering groceries by bicycle and setting pins at a neighborhood bowling alley when his father passed away. Wayne was just seven years old. This west end kid attended Buchanan and Frank L. Smart schools, graduating from Davenport High School in 1944. Wayne served in the 63rd Division of the United States Army in World War II, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Upon his return home after serving his country, he met the love of his life, Lorraine Christiansen. They were united in marriage on June 22, 1947 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Davenport. Lorraine passed away on July 28, 2000, after 53 years of marriage.

Wayne was employed at Davenport Bank and Trust Company as a Vice President in the Commercial Loan Department, retiring in 1989 after 41 years of service. He was a member of Davenport Elks Lodge #298, where he served as treasurer for 16 years. He was also a member of the American Legion and St. Mark Lutheran Church.

In the 1960s, so that all of their children could receive an education and reach their full potential, Wayne and Lorraine, together with several other families, helped to open the first local school for kids with special needs, Davenport’s Marquette Street School.

Wayne was athletic, and an avid fan. He excelled at sports as a youth. He played in fast pitch softball leagues as well as horse shoe leagues. Wayne bowled in the Elks league on the Davenport Bank team for decades. His longtime, fervent devotion to the White Sox began during childhood family visits to the south side of Chicago. Wayne expertly coached his sons at the Davenport East Little League during the 1960s and 70s.

Musically talented, Wayne played the violin as a young person. He had a beautiful, strong voice, unabashedly belting out hymns in church, and leading every chorus of Happy Birthday. Wayne was a great dancer. His love of music spread to his children, and has been carried on by the generations that followed.

Wayne enjoyed the companionship of his many dogs. His favorite was Ginger, a yellow lab who lived with the family for 13 ½ years.

During his children’s growing-up years, the family belonged to Grace Lutheran Church in Davenport. There Wayne was faithful at worship and as a volunteer, ushering regularly and counting offerings. His fine example was key to his family’s faith formation.

Those left to honor Wayne’s memory include his sons, Craig (Pam Reber) Lowden of Davenport, Steven Lowden of Davenport and Mark (Kara) Lowden of Bettendorf; daughter, Karen (Mark) Holden of Davenport; grandchildren, Heather (Jason) Hagemann of Bettendorf, Ryan (Kathleen) Holden of Waverly, and Grant Lowden of Bettendorf; and great-grandchildren Emma and Gabriel Holden, and Annabel and Cort Hagemann.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.