Lowell Huggins Obituary

Lowell William Huggins, 85, was born on April 16, 1940, in Farrar, Iowa, to Louis William Huggins and Marie Andrews Huggins.

Lowell grew up on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work at an early age through daily chores and milking cows. As a young man, he was active in sports, enjoying both baseball and basketball. His family raised raccoon hounds, and some of his fondest memories were weekend family outings attending coon dog trials.

Following his graduation, Lowell attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. On November 28, 1959, he married the love of his life Marie Kay Carlson beginning a 66-year devoted marriage.

Throughout his working life, Lowell was known for his mechanical skill and strong work ethic. He worked at various service stations in Maxwell, Altoona, Des Moines, and Mingo, always doing his own mechanical work. He also helped work the family farm for many years. In 1984, Lowell began a new chapter when he joined Iowa State University as a police officer. He served with dedication until his retirement in 2002, achieving the rank of Lieutenant.

Lowell had a lifelong love of sports, especially watching his grandsons playing baseball, football and track. One summer he went to 66 of the grandson's baseball games. He was an avid bowler and took great pride in his accomplishments, including qualifying for the National Senior Games 10 times.

He was a member of the Maxwell Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Marie Kay Huggins; his children, Michelle (Steve) Carmichael, and Brian (Roxanne) Huggins; his grandsons, Dallas Groom and (Amanda Grimm), Nathan Groom, and Logan Huggins; and one great-grandson, Asher Groom. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers-in-law, Gene and Norman Leonard, and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Leonard.

Lowell will be remembered for his strong work ethic, dedication to family, love of sports, and the steady presence he was to those who knew and loved him.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Mt. Zion Cemetery, 8400 NE 150th Avenue, in rural Maxwell. A reception will follow the service at the Maxwell Methodist Church.

Please mail memorials to Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Pkwy, Nevada, IA 50201 c/o Lowell Huggins Family. The memorials will be donated to the HealthWell Foundation for the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis grant program.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the arrangements for Lowell. Condolences may be shared online at www.rasmussonfh.com.