January 22, 1920 ~ April 23, 2009
Evelyn Subera Lowe, 89 years of age, a retired homemaker, died April 23, 2009, after a brief illness at the Caldwell District Hospital. She was the first child born to Ed and Emma (Krenek) Subera on January 22, 1920, at their farm home 10 miles west of Caldwell, across from the ZCBJ Hall. She was raised on the family farm west of Caldwell and attended all eight grades at Scott School, a two room grade school. She graduated from Caldwell High School in 1938.
After graduating from high school, Evelyn worked for a period of time at the local Caldwell Bakery and then at the Boeing Aircraft Company plant in Wichita. During the war years she was a “Rosy the Riveter” on the B-29 aircraft.
On June 28, 1943 she married Henry James Barrett of Renfrow, OK in a “secret” ceremony in Newkirk, OK., because her parents did not want her to marry someone who was not Czechoslovakian. They spent the next three days in their own homes at night before he was
shipped out to Fort Bragg, NC., for military training. Some 14 months later he was killed during WWII and buried in Belgium. After the war was over, Evelyn worked at JC Penneys in Wichita and met Marvin Lowe on a blind date, set up by her girlfriend Evelyn Smetana. Evelyn and Marvin were later married on September 1, 1946.
As a young wife and mother, Evelyn and Marvin raised their three sons, Gary, Rod & Galen in their home in Wichita and on their farm home east of Caldwell. When Marvin retired from Cessna in 1978, they moved permanently to the family farm. At “ELMAR Farms” they hosted Thanksgiving get togethers, inviting many relatives and friends to share in a Thanksgiving meal, hunting, target shooting, playing on the farm and watching fireworks. This became a Lowe Family Thanksgiving tradition for over 40 years with sometimes as many as 50 family members and four generations participating.
After moving to the farm, Evelyn was an active member of the Falls Center Club. She was also active in church and community affairs, belonging to the Caldwell United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service, serving in numerous capacities. She was active in the Order of the Eastern Star where she served a term as the Worthy Grand Matron, was a member of the Past Worthy Matrons, and also held offices at the local and district level of Eastern Star.
Evelyn lost Marvin in an automobile accident in January 2002. Two years later she purchased a home in Caldwell where she lived until her death. After moving to Caldwell, she joined the Caldwell Red Hat Society where she enjoyed meeting the members for coffee and cards.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Marvin; her parents, and her younger brother Alvin “Bud” Subera. Survivors include her sons, Gary Lowe of Wichita, Kansas; Rod and his wife Adonna Lowe of Fort Worth, Texas and Galen and his wife Karen Lowe of Wellington, Kansas; grandchildren Kristen & husband Kyle Kruszynski of Wichita, Ks, Steven Lowe of Wichita, Kansas; Kelsey Lowe of Mission, Kansas; and Kelley Gale Lowe of Wellington, Kansas. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral services for Evelyn will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the United Methodist Church in Caldwell, Kansas. Interment will follow in the Corzine Cemetery, Corbin, Kansas.
Friends may call at the mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009 with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be given in Evelyn's name to the First United Methodist Church, Caldwell, Kansas or to the Sumner County District #1 Hospital, Caldwell, Kansas.
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Condolences
Jerry and Marilyn Houlden
Family and Friends - 04/25/2009
Evelyn was a woman with a sparkle. When you would meet her, whether in at Karls (not so long ago it seems to me!) or anyplace, she always had a good word for you. We know she will be missed, but we know the many good memories you have of her will help give comfort--and maybe a smile or two. May God be with and bless you all.
