Lowell Albert Ziemann (September 14, 1938 – May 24, 2024) of Gilbert, Arizona passed away after a brief illness.
He was born to Albert and Olga Ziemann in Fairmont, Minnesota. Along with his sister, Marilyn, the family resided and worked the family farm.
He loved baseball and basketball and played on the Fairmont high school teams, including the 1955 squad that went to the state tournament. He graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis in 1960 with a degree in mathematics. While at Augsburg, he played for 4 years on the baseball and basketball teams and served as team captain.
He married Janet (Haeckel) Ziemann in September 1960 and the young couple resided in Paynesville, Minnesota, where Lowell taught math and coached the basketball team. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jay and Suzanne.
In 1964, the young family moved to Marshall, where he continued to teach and coach for another 13 years. In 1970 and 1974, he took Marshall Tiger basketball teams to the state tournament. Lowell’s athletic achievements earned him a spot in 3 halls of fame. A career change to the insurance industry brought the couple to Arizona in 1985.
After Janet’s death in 1987, Lowell married Margery Jean (Capewell) Ziemann and they were a devoted couple for 36 years until his passing.
In retirement, he found creative outlets for his love of the Old West, doing wood carving and publishing more than a dozen collections of short stories under his pen name, A.L. Shane.
Lowell was a faithful member of his church, a loving and caring friend and mentor, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Lowell was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Olga, his wife Janet, his son in law Dean Schulz, and grandson Joshua Schulz. He is survived by his wife Jean, his sister Marilyn Stuckwisch, his children Jay (and Lisa) Ziemann and Suzanne (and Ron) Propoggio, his grandchildren Daniel (and Kaitlyn) Ziemann, Sarah Ziemann, Zachary Schulz and Jacob Schulz, and his great grandson Finley Ziemann.
Blessed be his memory. In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family asks that donations be made to the 1970 Best Teammate Scholarship at the Pride in the Tiger Foundation (https://prideinthetiger.org/donate), or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Jay, Suzanne and family … I send condolences from Fargo. I still carry great memories of the Ottersons and the Ziemanns concocting some of Marshall’s greatest social events for ISD 413 teachers. When Jill and I went through our parents’ last home, many cleaning sessions were derailed by photos and subsequent laughter. I also remember the orchestrated activities on Halloween (including the somewhat annoying younger sisters), the West Side walks to Pat’s house, and countless nights in the Saratoga Street gym with Lowell coaching and Don keeping the book. Your father was on my list for a possible visit during a well-planned trip to Phoenix four years ago, specifically March 2020. The pandemic canceled that trip, and I didn’t get to Phoenix again for three years. Please know that I am thinking about you. — Bob
Praise God for Lowell’s life of deep and wide impact!
My fondest memories of Lowell are not as a coach or teacher, but simply as Jay’s dad! Growing up in Marshall and connecting with Jay on a daily basis placed me around Lowell within his home life. I can still remember a couple of his funny “dad quips,” but more than that, he was welcoming and encouraging and fun to be around. Is there a higher coaching-calling than to bless young men as a model of Christian manhood?
Again, I praise God for the impact Lowell had on so many.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
(Jesus, as recorded in John 15:5).
I always looked up to coach as a great teacher of the game !!! RIP coach !!
Jay, Suzanne and Family, So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. What a life he lived and I was so fortunate to have you as a neighbor growing up as well as fellow church members. It was a blessing to have your family in my life growing up and I pray for comfort and peace for all of you as you pass through these days ahead. Linda “Boyer” Nielsen.
I grew up knowing Lowell and was even “babysat” by his son Jay (alley-oop turn-around jumpshot!) but a day in Tombstone with just Lowell and I cemented him as my western mentor. I’ve read many of his books and received one of his carvings (via my mom Lana Schaefer that was his cousin and passed away a few years ago). I cherish that day in Tombstone with him still.
Lowell was a good man and he will be missed.
He always had a good story to tell about the old west. He was a good husband to my aunt Jean and we all loved him very much. He was a devout follower of Christ and his salvation is sure. What I loved best about Lowell was that you only had to spend a few minutes with him to know he was a kindhearted man of character.
Obit
To: Suzanne, Jay and family ~ My sincerest condolences on the loss of your father.
To: My AuntJean Zieman ~ Thank you for meeting this wonderful man and bringing him into our family. I am so sorry for all that you are going through and praying for strength for you during this difficult time.
To: The rest of Lowell’s friends & family, I would like to share my favorite memories, moments, and gratitude for my Uncle Lowell.
I will think of him and smile when I remember he helped me get my first job when I moved to Arizona.
I will think of him and laugh when I remember the time I was leaving after a visit. I said “OK, we’ll see ya later” and he said “Come Again” but with his Minnesota accent it sounded like more of a question (Like someone asks when they didn’t quite catch what you said)so naturally I repeated myself with “OK, we’ll see ya later”
He looked at me so quizzically until he finally realized I was joking! lol
I will think of him with gratitude whenever I view the books he’s written or the beautiful carvings he made for us.
Lastly, I will think of him with fond memories whenever I see anything related to Doc Holiday or other Western history.
May you Rest In Peace,
Karen, Mike, and Domonique Admire
Suzanne, Jay, and family . . . As Bob wrote, there are so many memories of your family with ours, including those great parties and annual thrift sales. After finding some of those classic party pictures, I added them to a calendar for Dad. He laughed until he cried and wanted to know where we had dug up those pictures! What a blessing to have friends like the Ziemann family. I’ll continue to cherish the autographed copy of “Zeke’s Favorite Western Short Stories” that made its way to my home and hold your family in prayer. Jill
How many students keep in touch with a teacher and/or coach for over 50 years after graduating from high school? Dare I say not many.
Furthermore, how many teachers/coaches are respected and adored by an entire team after 50+ years? Again, not many.
The fact that ‘Coach’ was admired by an entire team who considered him a mentor and friend for over 50 years is a tribute to coach’s character and the support he gave to all of us.
Thank you for being our coach, our friend and role model. You were a shining star in our lives. You will be missed.
Thank you!
Greg Carlson
What a great tribute I read today, written by the 1970s BB team in the Independent. Reading the tribute brought back memoriess as student of the time and a colleague, Rest in peace Lowell.
Dear Jay, Suzanne, Jean & families, I have 55 years of wonderful memories of a fellow Auggie who welcomed me to Marshall as a teacher & friend.
From bridge clubs to Statler Brothers concerts, country western songs & stories to countless sporting events including Minnesota State Tournaments & Fiesta Bowls, we have enjoyed being together. Lowell was so thoughtful in sending my husband, Sheldon gospel music with a message while he was failing & it would bring a big smile to his face. I am thankful for the faithful Christian life that Lowell shared with so many people. Cherish the many memories that you have had with him!