Lowell Bernett Pickett

Lowell Bernett Pickett, age 81, of Preston, Iowa, died on Friday, June 26, 2009, at the Eagle Point Nursing and Rehab Center, Clinton, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2009, at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Preston with Reverend Gregory Geier from the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Preston officiating. Memorial visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday, July 4, at the funeral home. Inurnment will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established in Lowell’s memory.

Lowell was born on December 3, 1927, in Baldwin, Iowa, the son of Glen and Edith (Potter) Pickett. Lowell enlisted in the United States Army, where he served his country from 1946 until 1947 during World War II. Lowell married Phyllis A. Klemme on March 19, 1954, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Preston.

Lowell poured iron for twenty - five years at Clinton Engines in Maquoketa, Iowa. He also worked at Slophers in DeWitt, Iowa, and General Thermal in Maquoketa before retiring from Precision Metals in Maquoketa on July 6, 1993. Lowell enjoyed doing yard work and gardening, playing cards, and camping and fishing in Thomson, Illinois, and Bellevue, Iowa. He liked to listen to country and classic gospel music. Lowell was a fantastic baker who made cookies and banana bread, and even enjoyed cleaning up the dishes.

Lowell is survived by his wife Phyllis Pickett of Preston; two sons, Donald Pickett of Anamosa, Iowa, and Dale (Michelle) Pickett of Neillsville, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Kristin, Amanda, Courtney, Megan, Justin Pickett, and Kyle Driscoll; as well as several nieces, nephews, and great - nieces and nephews.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gary Pickett; and two sisters, Doris Currie and Lela Mohr.