Memorial services for Lowell Lester Ross, 87, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Mark Boorsma will officiate. Interment will be in the Shady Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. To sign the guest book, go to www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Lowell died on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Home, surrounded by his family.

Lowell Lester Ross was born on July 27, 1923, in New Ulm, the son of Edwin and Hildur (Gustafson) Ross. He grew up in Winthrop and graduated from New Ulm High School. Lowell then served in the United States Navy during WWII receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. He studied at the University of Minnesota graduating with a bachelor’s degree followed later by a master’s degree in agricultural education and farm management. He married Joyce Kuhn on Oct. 16, 1948, and moved to Albert Lea in 1949. Lowell taught in District 241 for 34 years. Lowell lived his life with passion for the land through various activities: teaching agriculture to both high school and adult students, farming, land stewardship, and water management. Following teaching he worked as an insurance adjuster, seed certifier, and later with county water quality and related activities. Lowell served as an agricultural consultant to the city of Albert Lea. He also worked as a drainage specialist for southern Minnesota counties. Lowell was involved in local, state, and national agricultural associations: the Freeborn County Fair Board, the State Fair Miracle of Birth and FFA Center, a member of the Zoning Appeals Board Agriculture Committee, and a member of the Albert Lea Lake Improvement. In 1971 Lowell was the National FFA Advisor of the Year. He was active in Ascension Lutheran Church where he had formerly served as the church council president. He was a founding member and first president of the Good Earth Village Lutheran Bible Camp. An important part of Lowell’s life was filled with community service: the Chamber of Commerce, the VFW, the American Legion and Kiwanis. Lowell especially enjoyed driving for the Ride Service Program. Lowell has enjoyed extensive worldwide travel to visit family and educational travel through the Elder Hostel.

Survivors include his children: Kurt (Becky) Ross of Sioux City, Iowa, Susan Ross VanRuth of Palm Beach, Australia, Cindy (Jeff) Lundgren of Zimmerman, Mary Ross (Griff) Nordling of Bayfield, Wis., Kent (Teri) Ross of Faribault and Chet Ross of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Chris (Cindy) Ross, Michael (Stacey) Ross, Laura (Uriah) Norris, Stephanie Ross, Freya (Justin) Skinner, Haidee VanRuth, Amber (Kent) McGuire, Anna (Nathan) Smith, Clara Lundgren, Eva and Samuel Nordling, Paige (Jeff) Fromm, Eli (Holly) Ross, Susan, Jeffrey, and Justin Ross; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters: Virginia Fluegge of Alexandria, Garnette Stolt of Baudette, Audrey Amundson of Starbuck and Darlene Klause of Aitkin; sister-in-law, Mildred Ross of Winthrop; and many nieces and nephews.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; his brother, Garfield Ross; and his sister, LaVerna Fluegge.

If desired, memorials may be directed to the Good Earth Village or the Minnesota FFA Foundation.