Lowell Lein

Lowell H. Lein of West Des Moines, cherished father of five, passed away at home from natural causes in the arms of his oldest daughter and son-in-law on September 22, 2021. He was 93.

Dad was born on a cold and snowy December 5, 1927, in a farmhouse in Slater, Iowa to Lawrence and Lola (Hildreth) Lein. The doctor arrived in a horse and buggy. Since the weather was so threatening, the young new parents opened their home to the doctor as a place to spend the night.

As a child, Dad worked on his grandparent’s farm and later along with his father at Lein Locker Service in Ankeny. He enjoyed hunting pheasant and deer. He graduated from Ankeny High School in 1946 among a class of 17.

Dad joined the United States Marine Corps on September 7, 1948. Through the suggestion of a buddy, he began corresponding with an 18-year-old girl from Lisle, Illinois. They fell in love and Dad proposed through the mail. He met his fiance’ for the first time when he returned from Korea and stepped off the plane in Des Moines. Nineteen days later they were married. He and Dolly (Dolores Rolniak) Lein were married 51 years before her passing in 2003. Together they raised us five kids.

As a young husband and father, Dad worked with the local Eagle Scouts, taking them camping to various locations, including an expedition to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. He also served on the Ankeny Volunteer Fire Department. At the time, (and according to him) he was the only fire fighter who could drive the pumper truck, as he was tall enough to reach the clutch and the pump controls at the same time…or something like that.

Dad truly enjoyed his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Compliance Officer which involved research, investigation, and prosecution of unlawful practices of meat distribution. He was dedicated to insuring that the product was legally processed and fit for human consumption.

Dad counted his service in the Korean War as his greatest legacy. With his fellow Marines of the 1st Marine Division, he made the infamous amphibious Incheon Landing on September 15, 1950. He was also one of the “Chosin’ Few,” having survived the horrendous Battle of the Chosin Reservoir as well as the bitter temperatures of more than 40 degrees below zero. He has been gratefully acknowledged countless times by individuals of South Korean decent.

Among his many military awards and medals are two Purple Hearts. His pride and desire for recognition of Purple Heart recipients motivated him to be instrumental in the naming of the Purple Heart Highway in Des Moines. He also worked with Governor Terry Branstad in passing legislation proclaiming August 7 as Purple Heart Day in Iowa.

Dad was preceded in death by our loving mom, Dolly, his parents, and his brother Rod. He is survived by his sisters, Dee Moss and Marcia Fisher, the five of us, Sharon (Bernie) Ash, Shane (Margaret) Lein, Shelley (Rex) Martin, Tammy (Bill) Backoff, and Tim Lein. He also leaves behind 15 of our children and 5 of their children. We already miss him.

If you’d like to attend Dad’s memorial, either in person or virtually, you can join us by clicking the link below. We’ll gather at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 10:00 for visitation, 11:00 for services, (masks appreciated) and at 12:30 for burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

Semper Fidelis, Dad.

Service Livestream Link:

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