06/08/2026
Oelwein, lowa. Once a vibrant farming community, where union work and small businesses were plentiful, Oelwein struggled through a transition to agribusiness and low-wage employment or, alternatively, unemployment. These conditions, as shown by Rick Reding in his 2009 book “Methland - The Death and Life of an American Smalltown,” made the town susceptible to methamphetamine. Reding also argues that big city ignorance — fueled by the media — toward small town decay is both dangerous and appalling.
Lowell Ressler was born Nov. 24, 1934, in Oelwein, lowa. His father, a Chicago Great Western Railway special agent, i.e. railroad detective, was transferred from Oelwein to St. Paul, Minn., in early 1936. Lowell carried newspapers, morning and afternoon, for the St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch. He was awarded the Inland Daily Press Association outstanding newspaper carrier award. His photo was on the front page, above the fold. He then clerked at the Concord Drug Co. Lowell lettered in football, tennis and skirts, and was principal percussionist in the school band. He attended schools in Minnesota and Indiana.
Lowell was assigned to Fifth United States Army Headquarters, which at that time was in the former Chicago Beach Hotel on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive and Hyde Park Blvd — 5100 South. He was a wholly owned subsidiary of Colonel Anthony A. Ceresi, with secret security clearance and a window desk overlooking “The Outer Drive”, as Lake Shore Drive was often referred to then, to the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan. During the sometimes oppressively hot and humid days of summer, Major Zionsky generously shared the use of his combat field glasses to better view the lovely spectacle of Chicago’s female anatomy, sunbathing on the wide grass-covered median between the lanes of Lake Shore Drive.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, Lowell traversed the stunning landscapes of the western United States as a detective car operator for the Northern Pacific Railroad. During this time, he married Kay Funseth, with whom he had a son, Jeffrey. Rather than accepting a transfer to Jamestown, N.D., Lowell spent time in the railroad’s ivory tower in St. Paul. Before long, however, he moved to Spokane, and never looked back. Throughout his career, he was admired for his intellect, wit and strong work ethic. As a field engineer for the Burlington Northern Railroad, he inspected construction of the thirty-nine hundred foot concrete and steel bridge over Latah Creek in Spokane. Lowell went off the rails in 1978 when he joined the Washington Water Power Co., where he contributed his construction expertise to various projects, including a generating station at Kettle Falls and construction of 115 kv and 230 kv transmission lines, high-pressure gas lines and 13 kv distribution lines. Lowell’s work with the railroad and Water Power often took him to remote locations, which instilled in him a deep appreciation and knowledge of America’s backcountry and small towns, which he explored with Diane, his wife and best friend for over 50 years. Ever curious, he sought to understand the world around him, with a map or reference book at hand when needed. A keen observer, he was quick to identify the various birds, trees and types of clouds he spotted at home and in his travels.
Lowell eschewed the monotonous interstate in favor of the timeless allure of blue highways, which invariably led him and Diane to discover delightful cafes and watering holes. Yet, he was just as comfortable in refined establishments, such as the Picasso restaurant inside the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, as he was at the Waha Grill in the Craig Mountains of Idaho.
Lowell and Diane spent many winters in Hawaii and Borrego Springs, Calif. A follower of the PGA Tour, Lowell was strictly a social golfer who played rounds at Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, Kona C.C., DeAnza C.C., the Coeur d’Alene Resort, Furnace Creek G.C. and Kahler’s Bend. He would also test his luck at casinos during his travels. Particularly fond of craps, he knew the odds of the various bets one can place in this complex game. Retirement afforded Lowell more time to pursue his varied interests, including stamp and coin collecting. While living at Salishan on the Oregon Coast, he scoured the beaches for agates and jasper, which he polished into beautiful gems. He and Diane drove from San Diego to Astoria, Oregon, on Highways 1 and 101.
An avid reader and collector of fine books, Lowell read extensively in retirement. He read 46 books in 2025. His favored genres included mountaineering, detective novels, mysteries, United States and world history, military history and literature. He has read the novels of Steinbeck, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Rand, Heat Moon and Du Maurier. He read every Bond novel by Ian Fleming. Alas, the merciful lord took him before he could finish Moby Dick. Lowell kept in touch with his friends, some from as far back as grade school, and relatives by writing witty, animated and often humorous letters intended to entertain and provoke.
Lowell departed this realm Friday, May 29, 2026. He was preceded in death by his father Kenneth, his mother Clara, and his older siblings: brother Clarence (Red) and sisters Anne, Faith, Bobbie, Helen and Ginny. He is survived by his wife Diane, his son Jeff (Wei), and his stepson David (Meja). Per his request, no service will be held.
There is something about a Martini, A tingle remarkably pleasant; A yellow, a mellow Martini; I wish I had one at present. There is something about a Martini, Ere the dining and dancing begin, And to tell you the truth, It is not the vermouth - I think that perhaps it’s the gin.
