Lowell John Grave loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and horse loving enthusiast, ascended the stairway to heaven on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the age of 84.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 am Monday, October 14, at Zion Lutheran Church, 26313 462nd Ave., Hartford, SD with burial in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.

The family will be present from 3:00 – 5:00 pm Sunday, October 13, at Miller Funeral Home Westside Chapel, 6200 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD.

Lowell was born December 10, 1939 in Sioux Falls, SD to Fred and Helen (Rieter) Grave.  He graduated from Hartford High School in 1957 afterwards he attended South Dakota State University for one year.

He then married his high school sweetheart, Joyce McLeod on November 14, 1959 in Hartford, SD.  They farmed together by Wall Lake for 63 years.  Joyce passed away May 21, 2023.  In their younger years they could be found at the American Legion dancing the night away, playing practical jokes on their friends and organizing the Humboldt Threshing Show together.   Lowell and Joyce were honored being chosen as the King and Queen of the Hartford Parade.

In additional to farming, Lowell worked at Kramer's Livestock Auction, Adams & Dougherty Livestock Brokerage Company. He also sold Na-Churs Plant Food along with DeKalb Seed Corn.

Lowell devoted his life to serving the community through the various volunteer positions and committees.  He served on the Wall Lake Township Board, Minnehaha Livestock Feeders, Minnehaha County Extension Board, Hartford Area Development, Dakota Heritage, Dakota Harness Club, SD Cattlemen's Association, SD Draft Horse and Mule Breeders Association, Dakota Heritages' Annual Hand Corn Husking Contest, and as President of West Central Athletic Boosters.  He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church and held various board positions.

Lowell shared his horse loving passion by giving wagon and sleigh rides to a variety of youth groups, residents in skilled nursing facilities, and of course to his friends and family.  Driving his team of Percheron's, Lowell had the honor of escorting a few of his horse buddies to their burial site, and wedding parties to their receptions. He loved every opportunity to show off his horses along with his over-the-top collection of horse drawn equipment which helped to establish the Humboldt Threshing Show.  It was this passion that also graced him with many lifelong friendships and genuine respect for his Amish friends.

After moving to Leisure Living, in September of 2023, Lowell appreciated visits from friends and family. He especially enjoyed the joy rides through the countryside from his friends Rhonda DeJong, Pam Irvine and relatives Mary Jo and Dan McNamara.

Grateful for having shared his life are his daughters, Linda Boll, Hermosa, SD, Lori (Steve) Buckley, Papillion, NE, Lisa (Dan) Klein Hartford, SD;  foster sons, Darrell (Pat) Schroeder, Hudson, SD, Jeff Schroeder, West Port, SD;  six grandchildren, Jason (Jen) Boll, Justin (Tracy) Boll, Jessica Buckley, Jared Buckley, Alex Klein, Stormee Klein; foster grandchildren, Josh (Amanda) Schroeder, Jeromy Schroeder, Travis (Jessica) Schroeder, Karen Schroeder; great grandchildren, Jodiann, Jameson, Jaxson Boll; brother Merle (Marlene) Grave, Sioux Falls;  brother in-law Neil McLeod, Hartford.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents, Fred and Helen; his brother and sister in-law, Marvin and Betty Grave; and an infant granddaughter, Emily Boll.