Lowell Lee Yager age 89 peacefully passed away on September 18, 2022.
Born on November 5, 1932, he was the third son of Clare and Grayce (Owen) Yager. Lowell graduated from Viola High School in 1951. He was active in sports, baseball & basketball as well as theatrical plays. He attended Drake University for two years before he served two years in the US Army during the Korean War. Thereafter, Lowell completed his graduate studies at Iowa State University, graduating in 1958 with a BS degree in Ag Education.
Lowell married Louise Hardie on April 27, 1956. Following graduation, he taught Ag Education in Irwin and Atlantic, IA.
Lowell’s love of farmland led him to a successful life in farm management, farm real estate, and farm appraisal. At the age of 60, he and Louise moved to Champaign, IL. There, Lowell left the Midwest crops of corn and soybeans to join the Westchester Group where in addition to corn and soybeans, he managed various crops like grapes, oranges, almonds, rice, and cotton throughout the US.
Lowell encouraged his daughters and anyone around him to enjoy a good joke, to be lifelong learners, and to value family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bob, and his loving wife of 66 years, Louise Hardie.
Lowell is survived by three daughters: Linda Richards (Ralph), Carol Yager, Susan Yager; grandchildren Emma Fox, Patrick Fox: brother, William Yager (Marky), brother-in-law, Hugh Hardie (Marlene) and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services will be at the Ames First United Methodist Church, Ames, IA on October 4, 2022, with a visitation from 10-11 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life from 11-12 PM. A lunch will be provided at the church from 12-1:00 PM to visit with the family. A graveside service will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Audubon, IA on October 5, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Kiwanis Golden K Foundation of Ames. 516 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA 50010.
Ames Boys and Girls Club GK donation
Posted: May 11, 2025 by Kent Ziebell Leave a Comment
Ames Golden K presented a check to the Ames Boys and Girls Club on May 8th, 2025.
2024-25 Officer/Director Installation
Posted: October 7, 2024 by Kent Ziebell Leave a Comment
2024-25 Officer/Direction Installation Ceremony. The Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club
recently held it 2024-25 Officer/Director Installation program. The elected official began
their term on October 1, 2024 which is the beginning date for the Kiwanis year. Officers
have a one-year term while directors are elected to a two-year term. Brian Bappe,
Division 11, NE-IA Kiwanis, installed the officers/directors . Installed officers/directors
are listed below.
Returning Directors – Keith Folkman, Tom Peter, Dennis Tice
Incoming Directors – Gary Erbes, Bob Larson, Gary Meyer
Past President – Gina Spohnheimer
Webmaster – Kent Ziebell
Treasurer – Ron Skrdla
Secretary – Steve Johnson
Vice President – Kevin Miller
President-Elect – Jeff Witt
President – Dick Wilson
Ames Downtown Christmas Star project
Last Updated: June 7, 2024 by Kent Ziebell Leave a Comment
Ames Golden K helped Ames downtown by restringing lights and painting the holiday decorations.
Posted: October 5, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment
Lowell Yager
Lowell Lee Yager age 89 peacefully passed away on September 18, 2022.
Born on November 5, 1932, he was the third son of Clare and Grayce (Owen) Yager. Lowell graduated from Viola High School in 1951. He was active in sports, baseball & basketball as well as theatrical plays. He attended Drake University for two years before he served two years in the US Army during the Korean War. Thereafter, Lowell completed his graduate studies at Iowa State University, graduating in 1958 with a BS degree in Ag Education.
Lowell married Louise Hardie on April 27, 1956. Following graduation, he taught Ag Education in Irwin and Atlantic, IA.
Lowell’s love of farmland led him to a successful life in farm management, farm real estate, and farm appraisal. At the age of 60, he and Louise moved to Champaign, IL. There, Lowell left the Midwest crops of corn and soybeans to join the Westchester Group where in addition to corn and soybeans, he managed various crops like grapes, oranges, almonds, rice, and cotton throughout the US.
Lowell encouraged his daughters and anyone around him to enjoy a good joke, to be lifelong learners, and to value family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bob, and his loving wife of 66 years, Louise Hardie.
Lowell is survived by three daughters: Linda Richards (Ralph), Carol Yager, Susan Yager; grandchildren Emma Fox, Patrick Fox: brother, William Yager (Marky), brother-in-law, Hugh Hardie (Marlene) and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services will be at the Ames First United Methodist Church, Ames, IA on October 4, 2022, with a visitation from 10-11 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life from 11-12 PM. A lunch will be provided at the church from 12-1:00 PM to visit with the family. A graveside service will take place at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Audubon, IA on October 5, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Kiwanis Golden K Foundation of Ames. 516 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA 50010.
GK Listeners Program, 2022
Last Updated: November 5, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment
Like other Kiwanis clubs, Ames Golden K’s primary focus is service to children. In Winter 2014, Golden K leadership began considering a more direct outreach to students in Ames and proposed a new reading service project for elementary school students. In Spring 2015, Golden K contacted the Ames Community School District, Director of Raising Readers of Story County and other local educators to explore ideas. Dave Peterson, Edwards Elementary Principal, and Golden K leaders agreed to pilot a reading project with Edwards First Graders in September 2015. After 2 successful years working with Edwards First Graders and Kindergartners, the program expanded to Sawyer Elementary in 2017. The project has continued at both schools except for a break in 2020 due to Covid. All requirements {orientation, background checks, photo nametags, close interaction with classroom teachers} by Ames Community School District for participation in the Listeners program have been met each year. There are currently 30 Ames GK members who help make this project successful.
In recognition of this partnership, three Edwards Elementary teachers {L to R, Brooke Dalen, Amy Simonson, Selena Montag} spoke recently at Golden K’s weekly meeting.
They enthusiastically endorsed and elaborated on the many benefits of the GK Listeners project, and how it plays a direct role in building positive relationships with First Graders while working on literary skills through reading books and playing games. A typical day includes GK Listeners spending 60-90 minutes primarily listening to the students read and not reading to them. They work on a 1-1 basis as much as possible either outside the classroom in the large hallway or in the classroom. Brooke, Amy and Selena noted that Kids and Teachers simply adore the Listeners program. Another Edwards teacher observed “It’s been a really good program. Honestly, I think there is a lot of academic gain that comes along with it, but , really, I think a lot of our kids just want someone, especially males because a lot of our kids don’t have a strong male role model in their life, so even just the mentoring that happens is really huge for them.” Golden K member Pete Peterson commented “As a Listener, I could tell that the 1st Graders word pronunciation rhythm and expressiveness showed improvement as the school year went by. We gave the students an opportunity to practice reading out loud to a willing set of ears. It was fun for both the students and myself.”
Ames Golden K is looking forward to continuing its partnership with Ames Edwards and Sawyer Elementary Schools, and perhaps expanding the program to other grade levels within these schools.
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