Streaming of the service will be provided by the Rosemary Mennonite Church. 

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-for-dan-loewen-september-26-2026-200pm-vuu7sd05dyacgqdy4vra

It is with profound sadness that the family of Daniel Robert Loewen announce his passing on August 27th in Brooks at the age of 76 with family by his side.

Danny was born on August 7th, 1950 in Bassano, Alberta. He was raised in Rosemary, Alberta where he spent his entire life, raised his family and even retired all on RR154. He was a deeply respected member of not only Rosemary community, but across the County of Newell and throughout Western Canada through his life's work (passion) of Agriculture.

In 1972 he married the love of his life Margaret Birdsall in Olds, Alberta and together raised their two sons Scott and Chad. Family was always one of Dan's greatest sources of pride and conversation. He never missed an opportunity to talk about the generations before him, and brag about the generations after. Even those who never met his grandkids knew their names, and what achievements and milestones they were accomplishing.

Dan was born the youngest of 4, to George and Susie Loewen who were both Russian immigrants that met in Rosemary after each having their own journeys to get to Canada. Alongside his brother George, sister Alvira and brother Irwin, Dan's childhood was what you would expect. They came from very simple means, worked hard and the entire family did their part to help their parents succeed on the farm. But the house was filled with love and faith, and Dan always felt he had a full great childhood.

High school took him to Rosthern Junior College for 2 years, where countless stories were made, and were still told right up until his passing. But in every story the core characters were 4 or 5 lifetime friends that continued to make memories together as they all built lives and raised families across 2 provinces. Right after graduation his father had health issues, with the siblings unable to farm or gone from the farm Dad came home and started his 55-year farming career. Danny often said that George and Irv were both better farmers than him, but timing created the opportunity for the farm to become his and something he took on with immense pride.

Dan had a saying, "I don't know much, but I do know how to work hard". Always paraphrased to suit whoever he was teaching life skills too. That work ethic he passed along to his boys and continues to thrive in his grandkids. That work hard attitude was something he took along with him into his middle age years, where he spent countless days (years) volunteering for associations, building the ag complex in Rosemary, being a 4-H leader, coaching hockey, he became an EID board member and sat on both the Alberta and Canadian Charolais Association. Danny was net worker before that was thing but not because he was trying to build an empire, but because he had a true love for people and friendships. That meant more to him than any monetary wealth ever would. That time spent away from his own farm was worth it if he could help others succeed.

Dan made sure he played as hard as he worked. Sports were something that he absolutely loved to play, watch and for those that stood with him in corners of hockey rinks critique. During his time at RJC he found his love for Basketball and Football. Curling took over in his late teens and early 20s, a sport his father loved. This created 3 more unbreakable best friends, and another circle of lifelong friends over the next 40 years with a long list of stories that were told repeatedly. In the curling off season, he learned how to play golf. His sons lead him into hockey rinks. A sport he quite frankly was not good at, but he had always loved since he was a little boy. Ironically it was the Montreal Canadians 1970 cup win that is the background to his love story with Marg. 1982 through to 1997 were the hockey year's and added precious moments to his personal bank of memories he would of never traded for anything. The boys retired to beer leagues, his grandkids started playing hockey, baseball, volleyball, swimming and lacrosse so those were all his new favs. Along with his Jays, Stamps, Flames and Bandits.

The cows. Dans father never had beef cows, just 8 or so dairy cows. Dan started building his herd in 1973. First half decade was Hereford Simmental cross cows, and then in 1980 he bought his first 25 purebred Charolais cows. Loewen Charolais was up and running. Just like everything else he did, the people and building lifelong friendships is why he did it. His mentor in breed was Bill Hunt, a man he loved and respected as if he was a second father. That bond with Bill, the thousands of miles driven to look at and purchase cattle, as well as Danny's ability to visit with anyone created a whole other circle of friends, many laughs and more stories to tell. Which got told every March at Charlton's Auction Market at his annual bull sale. The cows were slowly downsized over the years, with the last ones leaving in 2014. The farm was better suited to barley, wheat, canola and alfalfa seed but cows were always his favorite. Danny and Scott talked about getting back into them. As recently as August this year it was still in his mind, as cattle markets, friends and old stories filled some of the miles going to treatments this summer.

To his grandchildren he will be remembered as Farm Grandpa, to the boy's friends he will be remembered as DLo, and to everyone else he will be remembered as Danny. Including Marg, as Danny is the center of 57 years of life for her. For better or worse and in sickness in health they never forgot the love at first sight when an errant dime ended up in Dan's beer mug in the fall of 1970. Friends were his extended family, he never forgot where his roots were and he never turned down an opportunity to visit with friends or make a new ones.

Danny will be loving remembered by his wife Marg, son Scott (Mareta), grandchildren Mason (Brook), Kennedy, Caleb, Kayden, Lauren, Hannah, Kathleen, Henry, sister-in-law Linda, his niece, six nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and those who lives were touched over the years.

Danny was predeceased by his beloved parents, George and Susie. His in-laws Everett and Jean Birdsall. His son Chad, his brother George, his sister Alvira Boschmann (Dave), brother Irv. His brother-in-law Alan Birdsall, and his brother-in-law Donnie Birdsall.

Dan leaves behind a legacy that was built on family traditions, honesty, hard work, a sense of humor and that Danny grin. Nothing was ever so serious that a good laugh couldn't fix it. The legacy will live on in the family he cherished, the communities he supported, the sports and groups he supported, and the stories that will be continually told for years to come by those whose lives he touched in his 76 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 26th, 2:00 PM at the Rosemary Mennonite Church. In leu of flowers, and in memory of Danny donations may be made to the Duchess Arena upgrade project.

Any donations can be eft to duchessagsociety@yahoo.ca, cash or cheques can be dropped off at ATB in Duchess or mailed to Box 385 Duchess, AB.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at

Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at

Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks