Lowell Stefl

Lowell was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War as a lineman. On April 23, 1960, he married the love of his life, Joanne Marie (Knauf), and together they raised seven children on their family farm. Lowell was proud to call himself a dairy and potato farmer and was very active in Farm Bureau. He received the Young Farmer Award for the state of Michigan and was proud to host Dairy Days on their farm in the late 1960s, helping promote farming to the next generation. Lowell was a hard worker who dedicated himself to the success of his farm and to making sure his family’s needs were always met.

After selling the farm, he stayed busy helping other local farmers during harvest seasons and assisting with the care and maintenance of Country Meadows Golf Course and as an Usher at St. Anne’s Parish. Lowell did not sit still or relax easily; he was always tinkering and looking for something to fix, clean, or improve. He had a passion for teaching others how to maintain and care for their equipment, homes, and anything else that required upkeep.

Lowell showed his love through service to others. He was always making sure the family vehicles were in tip-top condition, and as all his grandchildren can attest, before any visit they had better know the air pressure in their tires, when the tires had last been rotated, whether they had checked the oil, and what kind of gas mileage they were getting.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Marie Stefl, March 6, 2018, as well as his parents, Gladys and Joseph Stefl, brother, Gerald Stefl, sister-in-law, Mary Alice Stefl, grandson, Christopher Reese, and nephew, John Stefl.

Lowell is survived by his children, Sandy (Jim) Reese, Lynn (Dave) Meehan, Kelly (Earl) Carlson, Craig (Michele) Stefl, Brian (Deanna) Stefl, Keith Stefl, and Cory Stefl, his grandchildren; Erin (Tony) Marcoe, Sarah (Jeff) Faul, Tom (Samantha) Meehan, Kyle (Cassy) Stefl, Cole Stefl, Lauren Stefl, Jacob (Alyssa) Stefl, Alex Stefl, Marci (Pete) Reese Mckenzie, and Marc Reese, his great-grandchildren; Vincent and Gemma Faul, Olivia and Elijah Marcoe, Jace and Colt Meehan, Blake Deleeuw, Beau, Luke, and Callie Stefl, Madisen and Riley Reese, Kristine (Chad) McKenzie, Kyle McKenzie, and great-great grandchildren, Ezra and Leo Branstrom. Lowell is also survived by his many brother and sister in-laws, many nieces and nephews, as well as his special friend, Margaret Inglesby.

Lowell wanted to be remembered as a father, grandfather, and uncle who cared deeply for his family. He showed that care every day by putting his family first, looking out for their needs, and teaching by example what it meant to love, support, and protect one another. He made farm work enjoyable for the children and encouraged strong family values, caring for one another, loving one another, and showing respect. He hoped his family and others would remember his appreciation for organization, his dedication to maintaining equipment so it could be counted on when needed, and his familiar reminder to “never let anything sit out in the rain.”

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 3:15 pm, Monday July 6, 2026 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Delta County Veterans services will be conducted at 3:15 pm Monday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 pm Monday at St. Anne Catholic Church with Father Fran DeGroot officiating. A dinner will follow for all in the St. Anne Catholic Church fellowship hall. Entombment will take place in the Gardens of Rest Mausolium. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Stefl family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.