Lowell Veum

Lowell Veum, age 91, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Thursday, February 20th, at McIntosh Senior Living. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1st, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Peter Lurvey officiating. Inurnment will be in Hope Lutheran Columbarium in the spring. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Military honors will be provided by the Army National Guard Honors Team. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. 

Lowell Ordean Veum was born October 29, 1933 to Levy and Olga Veum in Grafton, North Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in Oslo, Minnesota. He attended school in Oslo and Hoople, North Dakota and graduated from Hoople High School in 1951.

On September 12, 1958 he married Mavis Sebens in Milnor, North Dakota; together they shared 66 years of marriage. Lowell was a beloved husband to his wife, Mavis, and a cherished father to his daughters Deaun, Gayle and Kim. 

After graduation he went to work for Sorkness Construction and Northwestern Bell building power lines in North Dakota. He went on to work with the REA at Larimore, North Dakota. He enlisted in the Army and became a paratrooper. After two years in the service he went to work for Minnkota Power in Thief River Falls. In 1968 he moved to Fosston as a line Foreman for Minnkota Power where he worked until he retired. He enjoyed 44 years with Minnkota and made many close friends.

Lowell was never one to sit idly. He was always looking for another adventure or task that he could add to his resume. He enjoyed flying in airplanes and helicopters, camping, hobby farming, collecting everything and traveling. He served on the Fosston City Council for 42 years, the League of Small Cities, and Utilities Commission until he entered the nursing home. He was active in the Fosston Fire Department, Hope Lutheran Church, and the American Legion in Thief River Falls. He was a driver for Essentia Health after he retired, and also traveled with his daughter, Gayle, and worked for the Westat Research Company. He loved to travel and thoroughly enjoyed being on the road, family vacations and camping trips. 

One of the things he loved the most was spending time at his hobby farm, tinkering and adding to his many collections. He enjoyed the hunt and the story as much as the treasures. Farming and the tasks that came with that made him happy. Instead of carrying around pictures of his family, he always had a picture handy in his glove box of his tractors and backhoe. Being with friends, helping people with whatever task, and having a purpose each day was important to him.

A daily task was having coffee with the boys at the West End and the elevator. His trips to the cow barn with friends for lunch was something he looked forward to. His 90th birthday party surprised him. He truly enjoyed visiting with friends and was thankful for everyone who came. 

When Lowell could no longer be at home, he resided at McIntosh Senior Living. Lowell lived a full and active life working hard, having fun and helping others. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents; Levy and Olga Veum, his brother Raymond Veum, sister-in-law Carol Veum, brother-in-law Allen Myrvik. Lowell is survived by his wife Mavis; daughters Deaun (Dan) Brinkman, Gayle Veum, Kim Veum; son-in-law Dan Brinkman; grandchildren Nathan Brinkman, Kelly Brinkman and Ashlee Clark; great-grandchildren Mace Herrig, Annika Brinkman and Julia Brinkman; sisters Opal Myrvik, Nancy Salowei, brother Allen Veum, sister-in-law Ruth Veum, nieces, nephews and cousins.