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The funeral mass for Lowell McCarthy, 70, Valley City, ND, formerly of Marion, ND, will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 2, 2017 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Valley City. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 6-7 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7. There will also be an hour of visitation prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Marion, ND.
Lowell Francis McCarthy was born on May 8, 1947 in Valley City, ND. Lowell passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, November 27, 2017 at his home in Valley City (formerly Marion, ND) under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley at the age of 70. He was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colorectal cancer in January of 2015.
He grew up on the family farm at Marion, ND and attended Marion Public School, graduating in 1965. After graduation he worked road construction and continued to help on the farm. He was an active member in the ND National Guard from 1966 to 1972. On August 29, 1970 he was united in marriage to Sue (Susan) Warcken in LaMoure, ND. They lived for a short time in LaMoure before purchasing a home in Litchville where they lived until 1974 when they moved to the family farm. They purchased the farm from Lowell’s parents in April of 1977. Lowell took great pride in producing one of the top ten dairy herds in the state of ND. In June of 1989 it became evident because of back problems that he would no longer be able to continue the dairy business and he had to say goodbye to his beloved Holsteins! He continued to grain farm until 2006 when back surgery forced him to retire. Over the years Lowell was proud to serve on his church board at St. Francis Church, the District and Regional Land O Lakes Board, Marion Equity Elevator Board and the local FmHA Board. Lowell and Sue remained on the family farm until the fall of 2013 when they sold the farmstead to Plains Grain and Agronomy. They moved to Valley City where he became a substitute bus driver for Dietrich Bus Service until his health caused him to retire.
Lowell is survived by his wife, Sue; and daughters, Kris (Jeff) Piehl of Marion, ND, Brenda (Jerry) Ragan of Verona, ND, and Michelle (Bill) Ringuette of Ypsilanti. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren, Devin, Tasha and Landon Piehl, and Alyssa and Jarin Ragan and step grandchildren Nicole Hieb, and Maylee and George Ringuette; siblings Mary (Clarence) Musland, Edgeley, ND and George (Jan) McCarthy of Valley City; his Godmother, Marlys Boughton of Jamestown; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Frances McCarthy, father and mother-in-law Ed and Margaret Warcken, son-in-law Terry Rienstra, two infant children and one grandson, Corey William Piehl.
Memorials may be sent to Roger Maris Cancer Center or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home is assisting Lowell’s family with arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudshuldt.com.