Lowell Knowles

Obituary of Lowell Edward Knowles

Lowell Edward Knowles, 80, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025 in Hibbing, Minnesota, following a short but courageous battle with leukemia. Born May 7, 1944 in Mahnomen, MN, Lowell was the second beloved son of Harold and Luverne (née Neubauer) Knowles.

The Knowles family moved to Hibbing in 1956 to their homestead in the Northwoods where Lowell enjoyed caring for his horses, as well as deer hunting and fishing with his Pa and brothers, which he continued to enjoy throughout his life. He graduated from Hibbing High School, Class of 1962.

Lowell was drafted in 1965, to serve in Vietnam with the Army Heavy Artillery, just after his older brother returned home and before his younger brother would be sent over to Vietnam.

Lowell was preceded in death by first wife of nearly 34 years, Judy (Walton) Knowles. Married June 17, 1972, Lowell took the greatest care of “Jude, Tiger, Pumpkin, Turkey, Chicken” as she suffered from MS since their engagement. Although Judy would not go on to be a physical education teacher as she started out to study, Lowell faithfully got up each morning at 3 to exercise for her. He would need that strength to lift Judy to her wheelchair and back to bed as he cared for her before work and afterwards when he would return relieving the nurse. His selfless love and humor with Judy left a deep and lasting impression on his extended family. He cared for her so very well until she passed in April 2006. Lowell was also preceded in death by his infant sister, Joyce, his younger brother and best friend, Howard Knowles (2007) as well as their parents, Luverne (2010) and Harold (2012), and brother in-law, Jason “Buzz” Gehrke (2024).

After his loss of wife, Judy, and brother, Howard, Lowell retired from his work as a metal fabricator in the Twin Cities, having worked for Gerber Industries and Lee Industries, many of those years with his brother Woody.

Leaving St. Louis Park, MN, his new adventure began when he returned to Hibbing, MN and daringly put an ad in the paper hoping to find someone special with whom to spend his latter years. Bernie, Bernadine Nicoletti, would be that sweet surprise and they would quickly know they wanted to spend the rest of their days together. They were married for 13 wonderful years, enjoying their time together camping, hiking, traveling all over the country and to Central and South America, putting puzzles together, and enjoying their sweet Aussie Edward. He was gifted with Bernie’s five loving grown children and their spouses, Joanne (Frank) Schwirtz, Sandra (Greg) Johnson, Thomas (Christine) Treviranus, Nicole (Rick) Guski, Lois (Rob) Aho, along with fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren who loved Lowell as if he were really their own. In his end, Lowell was surrounded by many who truly loved and appreciated him, who will forever cherish this man who had a heart of gold.

Lowell also leaves behind his siblings: Elwood “Woody” Knowles, Sharon Gehrke, Patricia (John) Atsatt, Katherine (Allen “Tom”) Powers, Judith (Galen) Rogers, and Kenneth (Sue) Knowles; sister in-law, Debbie Knowles; numerous nieces, nephews who will never forget how dear and special he was, and great nieces and great nephews who saw him as a dear grandfather.

In keeping with his wishes, there will not be a memorial service for Lowell. The family kindly asks that those wishing to celebrate Lowell’s life do so by carrying forward his legacy of selfless love, kindness, humor, and loyalty.

A Memorial Tree was planted for Lowell
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Cremation Society Of Minnesota | Duluth
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