Lionel E. “Bud” McDowell, age 79, of Alexandria, formerly of Frederick, South Dakota, died on Saturday, March 9, 2019, surrounded by his family at Grand Arbor, Alexandria. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Mike Loween officiating. Music is provided by Sara Gulbranson Severson.
Interment is at Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria. Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409. A celebration of life will take place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Frederick on a later date.
Lionel Erwin “Bud” McDowell was born on June 30, 1939, to Miles and Helen (Friedel) McDowell in Lily, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. He attended school in Brentford, South Dakota and graduated in 1957.
While in school, Bud was a bareback rider with the rodeo and also worked on the family farm. Following his education he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Jet Mechanic at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. Bud was honorable discharged in 1960, and moved to Redfield, South Dakota where he drove propane truck for Cenex.
He was united in marriage to Laurel Mowry on September 2, 1961, in Redfield. Together they moved to Frederick, South Dakota in 1966, and Bud managed the local CO-OP until 1973. He spent the next 35 years working as a Sales Rep for Hub City/Safeguard Industries in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Bud and Laurel continued to live in Frederick until 2017, when they moved to Alexandria to be closer to family. He was an active member of Fredrick serving as mayor and on its town board. Bud was also a member of the Frederick Community Club and Fire Department.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mechanics, and building. Bud also enjoyed spending time with his four legged companions and documenting wood duck hatches in his five backyard wood duck houses. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, LeRoy McDowell; and nephew, Joel Heiser.
“Bud” is survived by his wife of 57 years, Laurel; three children, Lisa (Craig) Jaspersen of Pipestone, Lance McDowell of Phoenix, Arizona, and Lynette (Jerry) Swedberg of Alexandria; two sisters, Loretta (Jerry) Heiser of Oceanside, California and Betty (Gary) Koca of Jackson, Mississippi; six grandchildren, Chelsa (Bryan) Wiarda, Cameron Swedberg, PFC Aaron Swedberg, Kady Jaspersen, Elle McDowell, and Lauren McDowell; two great-grandsons, Canyon and Forrest Wiarda; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Urn bearers are Jerry Swedberg, Craig Jaspersen, PFC Aaron Swedberg, Bryan Wiarda. Honorary urn bearers are Tom Meyer, Bob Campbell, John Brotzel, Jim Reidelberger, and Frank Rosch.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Grand Arbor Memory Care South for the excellent care given to our husband and father.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
