| Notes |
- Baptised on June 7, 1911 at Zion Lutheran Church, Hartford, SD.
Polk’s Sioux Falls (Minnehaha County, S.D.) City Directory 1950 lists:
“Lowell Chas E (Gertrude) roller rink h1307 N Lincoln av”
SSDI: #503-01-3378, b. 17 Nov 1910, d. 17 Apr 1999; res. 57104, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, SD.
Newspaper Article on Construction of the Roller Skating Rink:
From Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sunday, November 03, 1940:
“Roller Skating Rink Being Built Near S. F.
West Sioux Interests Preparing Recreation Center on Highway 38
Construction is underway on a building on Highway 38, north of the West Sioux Falls gardens, near the stone crusher, for what will be the West Sioux Roller Rink, under the ownership of Charles Lowell and Miss Helen Brockhouse, both of whom have been associated with the West Sioux grocery.
Erling Nordlie, Sioux Falls, is general contractor of the construction, which calls for a arched-roofed skating-rink building, 140 feet by 54 feet in dimensions, with a skating floor 120 feet by 54 feet. The appointments will be the last work in rink construction, it is said, with the building completely insulated and air-conditioned, and equipped with a heating plant.
It wll be lighted with 29 Florescent electric lamps of varied colors and have a special electric-radio music system installed. Skate racks, concession stands, and bleachers to accommodate 100 spectators will be installed, and sound amplifiers will take care of every part of the building.
The entrance to the rink will be landscaped and the grounds around the building fixed-up for parking purposes. The owners of the establishment announce that they expect to open sometime in December, equipped to provide skating space for 300 persons at one time. The rink will operate on a year-around basis, it is said.”
Fiftieth Anniversary Announcement
The Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 08 May 1988, Sun.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lowell
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lowell of Sioux Falls, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. May 15 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, 405 S. Mable.
The event will be hosted by their children, Myra Feay, Cheryl Murfield, and Russell. They also have five grandchildren.
The couple request no gifts."
Obituary, Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, Tuesday, April 20, 1999:
“West Soo Roller Rink owner
Charles Lowell dies at 88:
by David Kranz
“One of Charles Edward Lowell’s greatest pleasures was providing the youth of Sioux Falls with something to do.
“His West Soo Roller Rink was one of the most popular places to go for 37 years.
“Lowell, 88, died of cancer Saturday at Good Samaritan Center.
“He had a kind, loving, gentle spirit. In the last few days when he had a lot of pain he was always thanking people for what they were doing for him,” said his daughter, Myra Feay.
“He was an exceptional gardener and enjoyed playing cards.
“But after his family it was the roller rink that gave him the greatest satisfaction, Feay said.
“He started the roller rink in 1941, the same year I was born. He wanted a place with good values for the kids. He was a stern disciplinarian. And he hired a cop to prevent anyone from drinking.” Feay said. “The kids knew he was strict, and they knew they couldn’t get away with anything.”
“To convey his concerns with problem children he sat them on the bench and had a talk with them, she said.
“He made them understand that he didn’t want anybody getting hurt,” she said.
“After 37 years with the rink he retired, but he never lost his love of rollerskating.
“He occasionally would go to Carousel Skate and watch some of the children turned adults practicing their craft.
“On his 85th birthday his family took him to a wood-floor rink in Sioux City, Iowa, and he put on the skates once again.
“A typical night at the Lowell household was playing cards and other games, but one thing happened every night.
“We always all ate supper together at 5:30 p.m.,” Feay said.
“Because he loved children he was active with Children’s Inn. He became the unofficial godfather of some refugee children, Feay said.
“They were in a poor situation. Mother would make clothes for them. Dad would buy for them. They still kept in contact with him. They really loved him like a father,” Feay said.
“Charles Lowell, 1305 N. Lincoln Ave., was born Nov. 17, 1910, in Sioux Falls. He attended Washington High School.
“He married Gertrude Brockhouse May 5, 1938, in Sioux Falls. They made their home here, and he lived within a three-block area his entire life. She died Feb. 5, 1995.
“He worked as a substitute on the rural mail route for more than 20 years and worked at West Sioux Hardware for 12 years.
“He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Center for Active Generations.
“In addition to his daughter, survivors include his son, Russell of Sioux Falls; a daughter, Cheryl Murfield of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
“Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Emmanuel Baptist Church, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday at George Boom Funeral Home with family present from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
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Connected Bloodlines
1910 - 1999 (88 years)
