Lowell Blakely

Lowell Blakely, 79, of Dunning, Neb., died March 19, 2018, in Callaway.Funeral services for Lowell Blakely will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 10:30 AM at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Anselmo, NE with Father Jim Hunt officiating.  Interment will be in the St. Anselm’s Catholic Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to the St. Anselm’s Catholic Cemetery or Sandhills Heritage Museum, Dunning Rural Fire Department or the Callaway Good Life Center.  A rosary service will be held on Thursday morning at 9:30 AM at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church.  Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be at Govier Brothers Mortuary from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Thursday morning  8:00 AM at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church or by going online at www.govierbrothers.com. Lowell was born January 26, 1939, to Helen (Thomas) and Emery Blakely.  He grew up on the family farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse and high school in Dunning.  After high school and a short stint in the Army, he became an electrician at Western Electric in Omaha where he met his future bride Norma Sorsensen.  Lowell and Norma were married on November 18, 1961.  After leaving Omaha they relocated to Dunning where he owned a repair shop.  From Dunning they moved to Broken Bow where he worked at Cashway Distributing and Coast to Coast Hardware before moving back to Dunning.  Upon returning to Dunning, Lowell eventually started his hog farming business which he continued for 30 years.  During his hog farming career, he would take short excursions to the Sturgis Motorcycle Races and pan for gold in South Dakota.   He also found great joy in helping people find lost treasures through his metal detecting.  Upon retiring, he was able to devote his time to his hobbies which included, restoring vintage stoves and other antiques, creating gun lamps and taking trips to Rosebud Casino.  He also thoroughly enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren every chance he got – which included sharpie tattoos, tractor rides and candy for breakfast. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his mother-in-law and father-in-law.  He is survived by his wife, Norma, his brother, Gilmer, his five children: Janet Blakely of North Platte, Bob and Monica (Huhman) Blakely of Anselmo, Janelle Blakely of Callaway, Janene Fournier of Denver, Brian and Carly (Rickertsen), four grandchildren: Lilli, Maizy and Stella Blakely and Jake Fournier and two step-grandchildren: Koby Huhman and his wife Katie of Marsland, Nebraska and Kyle Huhman of Broken Bow.