Albert Loewen Obituary (1926 – 2022) – Winton, CA

Albert Loewen
February 23, 1926 – February 9, 2022
Winton, California – Our father, Grandfather, and friend, Albert Sidney Loewen passed away February 9, 2022, at Modesto Memorial Hospital, a few days short of his 86th birthday. We feel very grateful for the time we had while Dad was in the hospital to visit, sing, and set things in order in his life. We are confident that the Lord touched him there in his last days and that he responded to the call of the Lord.
Albert was born to Peter and Marie (Spence) Loewen on February 23, 1936 in Winton, California, the thirteenth of a family of eighteen children. He received his elementary education in the Winton School District. . Albert joined the Navy when he was 19 years old. He spent 4 years in the service, after which he came back home and went to work doing steel building construction with his brother-in-law Ernie.While working for Ernie on a steel building in Riverdale, he noticed a pretty Portuguese girl walking around the job site, and the rest is history. Dad married Mom on May 9, 1959 in Riverdale, California. They shared the joys and sorrows of life together for 61 years. They raised 9 children living in different places before settling in the Winton area. Chuck Givens also became one of the family. Mom passed away in 2020 leaving a big hole in Dad’s life. He later became acquainted with Jan Schatz and their friendship took some of the lonesomeness from Dad’s life.
Dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on March 6, 1949, at the age of 14. Later on in 1970, Mom was also baptized into the church. Dad very much enjoyed the fellowship in the Church for the next number of years.
Dad was man of many talents and had an enthusiasm for his work and projects clear up to the time of his death. . He was a steel building contractor for much of his life and also drove truck for a living.
Dad met with trouble and heartache throughout his life. On October 19, 1988, our brother Lance was killed in a tragic accident along with his fiancé Alice.
Dad had a big heart for the way-faring stranger he chanced to meet. He was always looking for opportunities to help people he came in contact with. Dad would go out of his way to help others out. His friendly nature and open personality won him many friends.
We will miss Dad very much. We will always remember his love for us and have many precious memories of times spent with him; fishing, flying his RC airplanes, and singing with us. He will be remembered for his love of music, and enjoyed singing in a variety of places. Dad wrote a number of country and Gosple songs including the one he fondly referred to as “My Song” “I want To Go To Heaven”. He enjoyed meeting with family and friends at the Almond Tree in Atwater CA. Other hobbies of his included racing, camping, RVing, and riding motorcycle with the local Honda Goldwing club. He took the time to make all his family feel special and loved and included us in his interests.
During his last days in the hospital, he often asked for prayers and began to reach out to a deeper Faith in God and expressed a desire to return to his Church home as well as his home in Heaven.
Left to mourn his passing are his children: Chuck Givens and wife Lisa of Merced, California, Kathleen of Winton, California, Lionel and wife Jonilla of Cimarron, Kansas, Laureen and husband Bruce Kramer of Winton, California, Glenda of Hanston, Kansas, Sidney and wife Judy of Glenn, California, AJ and wife Jeannette of Ingalls, Kansas, and Lonnie and Kerry of Cimarron, Kansas, Loretta and husband Randy Koehn of Livingston, California, son-in-law Charles Koehn of Montezuma, Kansas, son-in-law John Stenberg of Ellsworth, Kansas, 49 grand-children, 43 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grand-children. Jan Schatz and family of Delhi, California, and a host of other relatives and friends.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and parents in law, his wife Barbara Jean (Coelho), his son Lance and fiancé, 11 brothers, 3 sisters, 1 sister-in-law, 1 grandson, 1 son-in-law, 1 grand-daughter, and 1 great grand-daughter.
Dad’s Funeral is planned for 10:00 AM, March 24, 2022 at Ballico Mennonite Church 11329 Ballico Ave, Ballico, CA. A time for togetherness and sharing of memories is planned for 7:00 PM March 23 at the same location. All friends and family are welcome to attend.