June L. Lowe

MOUNT PLEASANT- June Lowe, 98, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at the Henry County Health Center. 

June was born on September 30, 1926, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd R. and Linnie (Murphy) McDaniel. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1944. She continued her education at the University of Iowa, where she received a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 1948. June went on to earn a master's degree in education in 1967, from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now known as Truman State University. On November 20, 1948, she married Harry E. Freeman of Clear Lake, they resided in Galesburg, Illinois, and Mason City where their three daughters were born. The couple divorced in 1960.

June and her daughters moved back to Ottumwa where she became a teacher for the Ottumwa Community School District for 27 years. On December 26, 1962, she was married to Bill J. Lowe who was also a teacher. After retiring in 1989, she moved to Cedar Rapids to be near her daughters and grandchildren. Early in her retirement was involved with childcare and volunteering in her grandchildren's schools. Additionally, she volunteered in medical records at Mercy Medical Center. She was an active long-standing member of Cedar Christian Church, the fitness facility, and her card playing group. June moved to Mount Pleasant in 2018 to be close to her daughter Karen.

At the age of 9, she expressed the desire to be Street Commissioner because she wanted to keep God's world to be clean of litter so it was only natural for her to be a volunteer with the Cedar Rapids City Spring Cleanup.

June is survived by her three daughters, Karen (Jim) Kurtz, Nancy (Jim) McGough, and Diane (Joe) LaFontaine; six grandchildren: Traci Gardner, Alisha Hileman, Tiffany Ray, Tami Kurtz, Derek Kielkopf, Dustin Kielkopf; eleven great grandchildren: Falon Gardner, Cairys Gardner, Hayleah Carlo, Noah Hileman, Maddie Hileman, Lennox Ray, Juna Ray, Kerissa Kielkopf, Bentley Kielkopf, Kenzi Kielkopf, Alena Lopez; sister-in-law Patty McDaniel; nephew Mike (Robin) McDaniel, and a niece Sue (Aaron) Votroubek. She was preceded in death by her parents, former husbands, infant sister Donna Jean McDaniel and a brother Keith McDaniel.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and there will be no formal services. Burial will in the Ottumwa Cemetery at a later date. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for June and her family.

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