Lowell W. Vawser

Lowell Wesley Vawser, 89, of Fairbury, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2022, at Gardenside Long Term Care. He was born in Burke, South Dakota, on March 13, 1933, to Glen and Alice (Vaughn) Vawser. After graduating from Bloomfield High School in 1951, he farmed in the Bloomfield, Nebraska, area for several years. He served in the Army for two years during the Korean War, spending most of his time at Fort Benning, Georgia. He married LaRae Wegner on December 2, 1953.

In 1959, Lowell and LaRae purchased the Oxnard Hotel in Norfolk, Nebraska. Then, in 1964, they traded the Norfolk business for a larger hotel, the MaryEtta, in Fairbury. That is where they began working in food service. In 1973, they moved out of the hotel and opened the Stable, a steakhouse just a half block away from the hotel. Lowell and LaRae retired in 1998.

They enjoyed living on an acreage on the edge of Fairbury, where Lowell cultivated a huge garden and raised a horse, a llama, and countless chickens. Lowell loved finding bargains at auctions, and adding to his various collections. He relished the time he could spend with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, occasionally playing his harmonica or button accordion for them.

Lowell was a long-time member of the local American Legion Post and Grace Lutheran Church. He served on the Fairbury City Council for several years, and was active in the Optimist Club, Jaycees, and other community service activities. He was proud to ride his horse, Ginger, in a Pony Express reenactment and with a Sheriff’s Posse during the Nebraska Centennial. He was a lifelong hunter, first hunting as a young boy to help provide food for his family. He enjoyed spending time at the family ranch near Gordon, Nebraska, where he vacationed, hiked, and hunted for many years.

Lowell is survived by his wife, LaRae; daughters, Janet (Bill) Bauer and Laura (Kent) Gilbert; son, Daniel (Sharon) Vawser; brother, Lyle (Marlene) Vawser; sisters, Marjorie (Norman) Winder and Marilyn (Karl) Harig; sister-in-law, Rose Vawser; granddaughters, Erin Bauer (Reed Tyler), Meagan (Andy) Stobel, Victoria Bauer, Katie (Bobby) Smith, Melody (Jesse) Findley; grandsons Levi Bauer,  Wesley (Ashley) Scherbarth, and Casey Gilbert; seven great-granddaughters; six great-grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in law, Orlin and Edna Wegner; sisters, Ruth Vawser and Teddy Mae (Vern) Larson; brother, Leland Vawser; sister-in-law, Ellen Wegner; brother-in-law, Gary Wegner; daughter-in-law, Patricia Vawser; grandson, Lowell L. Vawser; granddaughter, Kelly Gilbert; great-granddaughter, Ellie Scherbarth, and niece, Sharon Pfeifer.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 4, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, 2414 H Street, in Fairbury, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1100 G Street, in Fairbury, with burial to follow at the Fairbury Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Fairbury Community Foundation or Grace Lutheran Church. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com