G. Lowell Crabb

SIOUX CITY -- G. Lowell Crabb, 96, of Wesley Acres in Des Moines, formerly of Sioux City, passed on to his heavenly home Tuesday, March 17, 2009, and is now reunited with his beloved Edith.

Celebration of life service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City. He will be laid to rest beside his wife in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be noon until service time Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Lowell was born Aug. 17, 1912, to Elmer and Ethel Crabb of rural Wagner, S.D. After completing a business short course at Brookings College in 1930, he began his entrepreneurial business career that focused mainly on the transportation industry. His first venture, in a career that spanned almost 50 years, was a gas station in Wagner. He quickly added a tire store when the building next door became available. By the spring of 1935, he opened a hardware store and about that time met his future wife, Edith Weidner.

They were married on Sept. 12, 1935. To this union were born two children, Larry Crabb and Beverly Walsmith. The couple were married for 68 years until her death in December 2003. The couple spent their first 23 years as business partners, building several other businesses in Wagner including a department store and an airport. It was at this point that his love of flying and aviation began. When he started Petroleum Carriers, a transport company in Sioux Falls, S.D., he flew between Wagner and Sioux Falls regularly. In 1951, he was elected president of the South Dakota Associated Motor Carriers, a statewide organization of truckers and the trucking industry. He was active in Rotary International, serving as president of his local club and on the international board as well. Additionally, he was an ambassador for the Rotary International Exchange program.

In 1958, the couple moved the family to Sioux City, where they founded Airways Service, a fixed based operation and operated a franchise for National Car Rental at the Sioux City air terminal. They assisted in the re-building of the new Grace United Methodist Church after fire destroyed the old one. He served on the board of directors, ushered and participated in many other church activities, including assisting with the church troop of the Boy Scouts. While still in South Dakota, he served as the state fund raising chairman for Boy Scouts of America.

In 1978, the couple retired to Sun Lakes, Ariz. After golfing a few times, he decided that he would have more fun and get more exercise by riding a bike. Which he did for 24 years, amassing more than 70,000 miles by his 90th birthday. He served in the Mesa Chapter of SCORE, the service Corps of Retired Executives, for many years, always enjoying counseling young entrepreneurs. They spent their winters in Arizona, but continued to spend the summers at Lake Okoboji, so they could be close to their family and enjoy their many friends around the lake. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his children, Larry (Marcia) Crabb of Sioux City and Beverly (Don) Walsmith of Des Moines; his grandchildren, Steve (Melanie) Crabb and Jason (Stephanie) Walsmith of Des Moines and Benjamin Walsmith of Mingo, Texas; and four great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Carter Crabb and Mitchell and Roan Walsmith.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Howard and Elton.

Memorials contributions may be made to the Wesley Acres Good Samaritan Fund, 3520 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA. 50312.