Lee Lowry

Lee Lowry, age 93 of Columbus, died Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Lincoln.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at St. Isidore Catholic Church. Visitation is 3:00-5:00 p.m. Monday, July 22 with a Vigil service at 5:00 p.m. all occurring at St. Isidore Church. Interment will be held at St. Bonaventure Catholic Cemetery.

Lee Lowry was raised in St. Louis, Missouri on an old brick lined street. She lived a few blocks away from the Botanical Gardens. She loved spending time with her grandparents, aunt and uncles. Her mother's side had moved to the United States from Austria, twice. St. Louis Cardinal games, the St. Louis Zoo and Grant's Farm were some of her favorite memories.      Lee started young volunteering at church and various organizations. While volunteering at a USO dance in St. Louis, she met her Air Force husband, Chuck Lowry. They fell in love and were married June 2, 1956. For over 50 years Chuck and Lee built their family in Nebraska.  Trips to Alaska, Hawaii and all the "Honor Club" trips that Chuck earned with Metropolitan Life Insurance were highlights to her.  Lee was active in all her children's lives. Patrick was born severely handicapped. When he was 7 years old he was placed at Beatrice State Home. She continued volunteering at the Opportunity Center, the Association for Retarded Citizens and family groups in Beatrice.
Terry, Jeff and James enjoyed learning prayers, being read and sung to, cheered on in sporting events, swimming at Pawnee Park, and being encouraged in all the activities they were involved in from music, debate, theatre and many athletic events.
Lee loved to swim! She swam laps until she was 91 years old. She said she always found peace in the water. Lee volunteered for over 60 years at the Columbus Manor and Meridian Gardens, She prayed the Rosary weekly for all residents including the Alzheimer's residents. Lee participated daily in the Mass, either in person at church or on TV when she could no longer attend Fr. Joe's 8:10 am daily Mass. She prayed at least 5 rosaries a day.
Lee was a wonderful neighbor and friend. She loved baking cookies and sharing them with family, neighbors and more importantly with her son Patrick. She baked 100's of cookies every week and always shared them with Pat's ward and the employees at Beatrice.
On July 18, 2024 Heaven gained a beautiful, loving, giving, faithful, deserving saint. Until we meet again.
Lee is survived by: daughter-Theresa "Terry" Preister, son: Jeff and his wife Carmel, son: James and his wife Kristy, numerous grandchildren. brother-in-laws: Fred Lowry and Michael Lowry and his wife Jan, sister-in-law Rose Emery.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Charles "Chuck" Lowry Jr., son: Patrick Lowry, parents: Edwin "Richard" and Marie Catherine (Heger) Emery, brother: Donald Emery and infant brother Richard Emery, grandson: Joseph Buresh.