James B. Lower

SIOUX CITY | James B. "Jim" Lower, 86, of Sioux City died Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Very Rev. Armand Bertrand officiating. Burial will be at a later date in St. Boniface Cemetery, Charter Oak, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Jim was born Nov. 14, 1927, in Scranton, Iowa, the son of Charles Steele and Dorothy (Frease) Lower. He grew up in Scranton, where he graduated from high school. He served in the U.S. Army and later in the U.S. Navy. On June 6, 1959, he married Lois Ann (Brummer). Together they raised four sons and three daughters. Jim worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and the Soo Railroad, retiring in 1989. He then worked for a can redemption company and retired in 2010 from Hy-Vee as a stocker. He was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Church, where he served as an usher. He belonged to the Signalman's Union. Jim enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities, some gambling and traveling. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois Lower; four sons, Mick (Karla) of Sioux City, Ron (Karla) of Johnston, Iowa, Don (Lori) of Davenport, Iowa, and Joe of Sioux City; three daughters, Mary Jo (Brooks) Rump of Omaha, Lori (Pat) Hegarty of Newell, Iowa, and Janet Lower (Rusty) of Robins, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Donna Lower of Sioux City; a brother-in-law, Robert Brummer of Guthrie Center, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wendell and John; a sister, Marian; and an infant great-grandson, AJ. Pallbearers will his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters. Memorials may be made in his name to Hospice of Siouxland or to Immaculate Conception Church.