Betty Lou Lowen

Betty Lou (Loewen) Lowen, a cherished figure in her community and a beacon of love and strength within her family, passed away peacefully in Salem, Oregon April 20, 2025, at the age of 97. Born August 20, 1927, at the family farm in Alsen North Dakota, the eighth and final child of the family. Betty's journey through life was marked by her dedication to her family and her entrepreneurial spirit.

Betty's professional life was rich and varied, with the common thread that she was always a “bookkeeper” first. She started her career as a bookkeeper for Oregon Gravel from 1947 to 1952, where she honed her skills in managing finances.She assumed the bookkeeping duties for Marv and his custom home building business (Lowen Custom Homes) for the next 60+ years. Her career trajectory then steered towards real estate, beginning at Holiday Real Estate from 1970 to 1973, and then as an Associate Broker at Hill Villa Real Estate until 1977. Her ambition and expertise culminated with Betty and her four partners owning and operating Realty House. She was also passionate about managing her investment real estate, which kept her busy until the last week of her life.

Her work not only showed her business acumen but also her commitment to her family and church family, where she served several terms as Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer of Kingwood Bible Church. As a devout attendee of Kingwood Bible Church, her church community and her faith in Jesus Christ were the cornerstone in her life, providing her with strength and comfort. She was actively involved in church activities, often using her skills in cooking and baking to contribute to church events. Along with her husband Marv, she headed up the Fellowship Committee at Kingwood, planning and executing many years of church Thanksgivings, Easters, picnics, and other gatherings. Rumor has it that Betty’s pies never left the church kitchen during these events, instead being secretly enjoyed by the Fellowship Committee team while cleaning afterward.

Betty's personal life was filled with joy brought on by family gatherings, where she was often found baking pies or cooking large family meals. Her hobbies included traveling, enjoying 21 cruises with family and friends, and visiting many ports throughout the world. Branson, MO was one of her favorite destinations, where she indulged in her love of live shows, especially those featuring Elvis Presley's music.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents Abraham and Nettie Loewen; husband, Marvin J. Lowen; and her seven brothers and sisters, Katie Sumpter, Abe Loewen, Edna Boese, Sadie Loewen, Evelyn Boese, Earl Loewen, and Alan Lowen.

She leaves behind a loving family: sons James D. Lowen (Susan B. Lowen) and Mark D. Lowen (Denise M. Lowen); grandson Jacob M. Lowen (Maddie Lowen); granddaughter Katelyn Lowen-Caruso (Nathan Caruso); and great-granddaughter Maeve Ruth Lowen and great-grandson Finley Lowen Caruso, whose arrivals brought her immense joy.

Betty Lowen's legacy is carried forward by the lives she touched and the family she adored. She will be dearly missed and forever cherished.