Ronald Lowell Crowe, 87, left to join his Savior on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, after a battle with congestive heart failure.

Ron was born on April 7, 1923, in Fergus Falls, the first of six children born to Ralph and Luella (Newgard) Crowe. Ron assisted on his family’s 400-acre farm where they grew crops and had livestock. At the age of 14 he was stricken with rheumatic fever. Ron attended Freeborn High School, where he played football, graduating in 1941.

After graduation, he entered the Army, serving during WWII as a medical laboratory technician, with the rank of Sergeant in the Pacific Theatre, in Korea and the Philippines.

Upon returning stateside and being honorably discharged, he went to work at Benson Optical in Albert Lea, where he met Arleen Hanson. They married on May 9, 1948. To this union were born two daughters, Pamela (Vern) Nielsen of Springfield, Mo., and Diane (Jack) Wilcox of Everly, Iowa.

Ron worked for Wilson & Co. in Albert Lea. His spare time was spent working on his beloved Gravelys and Studebakers, restoring old tractors and camping across the country with his family.

In 1985 Ron retired and he and Arleen spent a year in Texas before returning to Minnesota to settle in Hartland, where he became a regular sight mowing with his Gravelys in summer and using them to blow snow in the winter.

Ron served as president of the Wilson & Co. Credit Union (now United Employees Credit Union), as Commander of the Hartland American Legion Post, and as president of Hartland Senior Citizens. He was elected vice president of residents at Christian Health Care West. In 1999 Ron received a Citizen’s Certificate of Recognition from the village of Hartland for giving generously of his time, talent and energy to his community.

Ron and Arleen were members of Grace Lutheran Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and as congregation president. They became members of Philadelphia Christian Center, now Our Father’s House, where they were faithful members for many years.

In 2008, due to declining health, Ronald and Arleen moved to Springfield, Mo., to live with Pam. He later moved to Christian Health Care West in Springfield where he made fast friends with the staff and residents alike. His teasing and sense of humor, and theirs to him, made his last days a witness of the power of love and laughter.

In April 2010 Ron took part in the Ozarks Honor Flight, which flies WWII veterans to Washington, D.C., where they spend a day touring the various war memorials, and other points of interest. His favorite site was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Luella Crowe; one sister, Eunice Wagner; son-in-law, Vern Nielsen; and brother-in-law, Jim Robinson.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Arleen; daughters: Pamela and Diane, husband Jack and their two children: Lisa and Brandon, also Brandon’s two children: Dalton and Paige. Ron is also survived by siblings: Norma (Jim) Robinson, Barbara (Joe) Solberg, Wayne (Nancy) Crowe, and Wesley (Jane) Crowe. Ron is also survived by many loved family and friends.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at Our Father’s House, U.S. 18358 Highway 69 South, Albert Lea, from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. Memorials may be made to Our Father’s House or Youth for Christ, Albert Lea. Online condolences can be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn South Funeral Home, Springfield, Mo.