Lowell E. Van Liere

Lowell Van Liere, age 88, of Hartford, SD, was joyously received into heaven on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Lowell’s faith and loving personality stayed strong and present during his 3+ year battle with dementia. His last moments were spent peacefully with his loving wife of 69 years by his side. His final words to her were a sweet, "I love you.”

Visitation will be held at the Minnehaha Funeral Chapel in Colton on Thursday, April 3rd, from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 4th, at Central Valley Community Church in Hartford. Following the service, there will be a lunch, and burial will be at Colton Cemetery.

Lowell Eugene Van Liere was born in rural Colton, on January 4, 1937, to Pete and Dena (Van Hunnik) Van Liere. He attended grade school through the 8th grade before working full-time on the family farm. Lowell married the love of his life, June Kampmeyer, on June 5, 1956. They began their life together north of Colton, later moving to a farm south of Colton, where they spent the next 59 years working the farm, growing their faith, and raising their children and many foster children. In 2017, after much consideration, they moved to Hartford, becoming "city dwellers."

Lowell was a devoted member of the Christian Reformed Church of Colton for many years. In 1988 he became a member of Central Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. He served in various roles, including elder, deacon, usher, greeter, coffee server, handyman, and whatever role God called him to.

After discontinuing his fulltime farm operation, Lowell worked in various construction and sales jobs before becoming a Pioneer Salesman at the Colton Farmers Elevator, where he worked until retirement. Upon retiring, he found his favorite job of all: working at his son’s business, Industrial Machine & Engineering in Brookings, SD. Lowell traveled to Brookings several days a week to work alongside his son, Brian, and grandsons, Tyler and Zach. He continued in this role for 18 years, retiring at age 84. His work led to many enjoyable moments, including lunches with his son and grandsons, golf excursions, and plenty of laughs.

One of Lowell’s greatest hobbies was bowling. From his teens into his 80s he participated in both couple's and men's leagues. He was also a long-time member of the Lion’s Club in Colton.

Lowell had the gift of making friends wherever he went. ‘’He loved telling jokes and pulling pranks, often laughing the hardest at his own mischief. One of his closest partners in comedy was his brother-in-law, Gary. These two enjoyed many playful moments, from ping-pong games in the chicken coop to their decades-long "lemon" joke, proving that laughter truly is the best medicine.

Lowell is survived by his wife of 69 years, June of Hartford, SD; children Pam (Mike) Brands of Redondo Beach, CA; Brian (Andrea) of Brookings, SD; Lisa (Joe) Hellvig of Hartford, SD. He was also blessed with eight grandchildren: Sherisa (Jon) Oie, Tyler (Abby) Van Liere, Christopher Brands, Travis (Erika) Hellvig, Jessica (Dexter) May, Alyssa (Dan) Iverson, Zach (Megan) Van Liere, and Jacob Hellvig. 20 great-grandchildren: Ollie and Benjamin Lowell Oie; Eli, Claire, and Gabriel Van Liere; Ellen, Carter, Makenzie, and Emily June Hellvig; Adalynn, Eliza, Maisy, Noah &, Lily May; Elianna, Emilynn, and Evalee Van Liere; Nora and Samuel Iverson. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Helen, Esther, & Elaine Van Liere, and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Dena Van Liere; his in-laws, Edward and Sylvia (Brown) Kampmeyer; brothers Melvin, John, Adrian, Roy Van Liere; sister Julie Swier; sister-in-law Jeanette Van Liere; brother-in-law Gerret Swier; great-grandsons Timothy and Titus May.