The passing of Sister Martha Lowell and Sister Linda Millan

I am sorry I took so long to post the passing of Sister Martha Lowell and Sister Linda Millan. But I wanted to recognize these wonderful women of our ward. Sister Lowell was a long time member of the Indio Ward and Sister. Millan only came to our ward last year. Each sister will be missed.

Martha Maxine Lowell passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2010, surrounded by her family at the home of her son Calvin and his wife Michelle in Indio, Calif. She was 87 years old. Sister Lowell was the third of five children born to Elsie and Chester Neeld on a farm in Nevada, Iowa. Martha's living siblings are Ken, Norma and Shirley. She lived with her family on the farm until she graduated from high school and left to attend business school. At 20, she met John Clark Lowell, an Army man, in Webster City, Iowa at a USO dance. At 21, they married in Riverside, Calif. They had a very eventful, exciting life traveling through the U.S. and Japan with his career. Her surviving children were born during her travels, Stephanie Reid, Lauretta Lowell, Ronald Lowell (Karen Knight), and Calvin Lowell. Martha and John converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1957 where they were sealed for eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple in 1959. Their strong belief in the church and their loving hearts helped them positively influence many people during their lives. In 1973, John and Martha moved from Hawaii to Indio where he taught at Indio High School for 27 years. There was no better love story than her relationship and marriage to her husband of 59 years. They shared a passion for bicycling along California's coast. For their 50th wedding anniversary they rode their bikes 50 miles along Venice Beach. They adored each other and set a wonderful standard of devotion for their children to follow. Not only was Sister Lowell passionate about her marriage and children, but she was very passionate in her creativity. She was an amazing artist who mastered cooking, flower arranging, and dress designing. Her children were dressed in her designs from childhood through high school. Their friends and family enjoyed her prom dress and wedding dress designs, and her grandchildren enjoyed many years of wearing the best Halloween costumes in town. Sister Lowell was very involved in her role as grandmother of 14 grandchildren, Wendy, Stephen, John, Patrick, Holly, Tommy, Kristi, Kari, Jessica, Hannah, Julia, Aaron, Spencer, and Virginia; and five great-grandchildren, Tristan, Kendra, Emma Mayfield and Lennon and Larry Wever. Her thoughtfulness and love are felt deeply by them all. She leaves a void in the lives of her family, who miss her terribly. Their faith in their Heavenly Father and Savior is strong. There is no doubt that she was met by her husband, friends and family and that she is in their care even now.

Sister Linda Lee Millan was Born April 24, 1944 and passed away on March 12, 2010. She came to Indio last year to live with her son Marco Millan. She had lived the past 20 years in Mexico where she was a teacher. We were lucky to have her in our ward for a short time. She was a sweet woman who always had a smile on her face. She loved the temple and loved her family.

We appreciate all the help given in behalf of these women for the luncheon served to the families after the funerals. We are truly grateful for such a loving and caring ward who help so much to make these special events successful!