Ida Coral Lowe

Ida Coral (Martin) Lowe, 99, of Viroqua, WI, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, at Vernon Memorial Hospital.

Ida was born on November 26, 1924, in Gays Mills, WI, to loving parents Byrd and Agnes (Nicholson) Martin. On May 19, 1945, she married Lorenzo “Scrub” Lowe in Prairie du Chien, WI. She was a lifelong member of the Gays Mills United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, where she taught Sunday school, served on church boards, and actively participated in community events.

Ida lived in Gays Mills until 2018, when a flood rendered her home uninhabitable. She then moved to Maplewood Terrace, an assisted living branch of Bethel Home in Viroqua, WI.

A 1942 graduate of Gays Mills High School, Ida went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from La Crosse State University. She was a lifelong educator and devoted 42 years of her life to nurturing young minds. Her teaching career spanned schools including Halls Branch, Bell Center, Mt. Sterling, and North Crawford, where she imparted a love of learning until her retirement in 1987. To this day, her students still speak about her kindness and compassion. Ida will be fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched through her commitment to education.

Ida’s laughter and keen sense of humor brought warmth to all who knew her. Her family was the center of her world, and she took immense pride in sharing stories and photographs of her loved ones. Alongside her devotion to family, Ida found joy in reading, playing cards, flowers, and staying connected to the lives and achievements of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She drew strength and comfort from her faith, finding solace in the Bible and living as a devoted servant to her Lord Jesus. Her generous spirit and humble demeanor touched countless lives, leaving a lasting mark on all who were fortunate enough to know her. Ida will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those she cherished and inspired.

Ida is survived by her son, John Lowe of Decorah, IA; stepdaughter, Sharon Kruck of Muskego, WI, and her family; grandchildren, Amy (Tate) Featherstone of Bettendorf, IA, Kari (Patrick) Karsnick of Plymouth, MN, and Erik (Jen) Lowe of Chanhassen, MN; sister-in-law, Carol Martin of Viroqua, WI; ten great-grandchildren; and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

Ida was preceded in death by her husband, Lorenzo; her parents; her brothers, Kenneth (Isabelle) Martin, Lawrence (Phyllis) Martin, and Robert Martin; and stepson, Douglas Lowe.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills. A visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Ida will be laid to rest at the Gays Mills Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Gays Mills Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gays Mills United Methodist Church in Ida’s memory.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Gays Mills is serving Ida's family.

325 Sunset Ridge Avenue

Gays Mills, WI 54631

(608) 735-2100