Lowell Guebert

Lowell Louis Guebert was born in Spencer, South Dakota, October 6th, 1926, and was called to Glory on November 23, 2024 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The third son of Arnold and Anita, he moved with his parents to Edmonton in 1928, where his father took a teaching position at Concordia College. Lowell attended high school and college at Concordia, completing his education at the seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He served a vicarage in inner city Chicago, and a second vicarage in rural Ponoka, Alberta, where he met Phyllis Lien. They were married in 1952, and he was ordained that same year.

Lowell’s first call was to serve the parish of Brooks/Duchess in southern Alberta, where the first two children, Glen and Alf, were born. He then took a call to serve the Claresholm/Vulcan parish, and Bev and Dave were added to the family. The next call brought him to Saskatoon, where he served St. Paul’s Lutheran, as well as the Warman congregation. He led the St. Paul’s congregation through the process of construction of the church building and was pastor there for 26 years. Roland and Phil were added to the growing family too during the time in Saskatoon.

Lowell also served for several years as chaplain for Lutheran Care Society (now known as LuMinHos), and later served a parish in Middle Lake, Saskatchewan, where he also was on the board of the Bethany Pioneer Village for many years.

In addition to his parish duties, Lowell served on the board of Canadian Lutheran World Relief as president and treasurer, on the Board of Regents for Concordia College, as hospital chaplain, and with the Saskatoon Ministerial Association. He continued to be active in retirement, continuing to visit hospital patients and shut-ins and serving a number of parish vacancies.

Lowell enjoyed travel, and visited friends and family all over North America, including classmates from his seminary days. He planned his trips to include a stop for a visit or overnight. He was able to visit India and Bangladesh during his work with CLWR and the Malabar Mission. He also loved camping spending many vacations visiting the scenic parks in Western Canada and travelling to family gatherings in various locations. Lowell loved to communicate with family, friends and classmates, publishing annual editions of the Guebert Gazette and the Motley Crew of 52 (his seminary class).

Lowell had a passion for music, particularly classical music, and often remarked how much he enjoyed going on a long drive listening to the tapes or CDs he had brought along. He kept very active for most of his life, and especially enjoyed his bike. He could be seen travelling all over Saskatoon by bicycle, well into his 80s. He also planned and led two youth group bike trips from Banff to Jasper, which were a memorable experience for all involved.

Lowell enjoyed building things, from the homebuilt camper trailer, which the whole family enjoyed, to his own stereo system, to building cabinets for the Blain Avenue house, to helping oversee the whole construction process for St. Paul’s church!

Lowell is survived by his six children: Glen (Sue), Alf (Nancy), Bev (Rick Chappell), Dave (Deb), Roland (Brenda), and Phil, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Marj Plitt, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Phyllis in 2010 and brothers Paul, Robert and Cliff.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or Lutheran Ministry in Hospitals of Saskatoon (LuMinHos).