Lowell Erich Kraft

Lowell Erich Kraft, 90, of Pigeon, was called home peacefully on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Scheurer Hospital, after a brief illness.

Lowell was born February 29, 1932, in Pigeon, to the late Erich and Anna (Ruthig) Kraft. He was made a child of God through Holy Baptism on March 27, 1932. He was confirmed on April 14, 1946. Lowell married Nancy Ann Carpenter on May 3, 1952 in Bronson, Michigan. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Lowell is survived by his dear wife, Nancy; son David (Sherri) of Pigeon, daughter Carol (Joel) Nelson of Muskego, WI, and son, Daniel (Elizabeth) of Williamston; grandchildren: Alissa Kraft (Dan) of Austin, TX, Stephanie (Allan) McLean of Shelby Township, Matthew (Steph) Kraft of Western Springs, IL, Natalie (Micah) Walz of New Berlin, WI, Eric (Aly) Nelson, of Minneapolis, MN, Lindsay (Jamie) Langan of Chicago, IL, Stuart (Amber) Neils of Petoskey, MI, Ella (Josh) Vaillancourt of Mulliken, MI and Grace Kraft of Indianapolis, IN; great-grandchildren: Shawn, Ethan, Brody, Cooper, Anna, Caroline, Layla, Mason, Zoey, Sadie, Jack, Lily, and Theo; and sister Naomi (Gilbert) Wichert of Pigeon, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his step-mother Mildred M. Kraft.

A family man to his core, Lowell lived, worked and died in Pigeon. It was a good life in a small town. He loved to work. He loved to fly, He loved to golf. He was an avid Tigers fan, and he loved pie. Lowell enjoyed civic activities, and working with people. He participated in his community and church in many roles. He was a perfectionist and had a work ethic that enhanced his contributions. He became a Pigeon town councilman, served on the Caseville Township Planning Commission, and served on the Michigan Aeronautics Commission for many years.

As a very young boy, he began contributing to the family business. After high school, his father offered him a partnership interest, in the family business, to entice him to stay home and work in the farm drainage and residential plumbing business rather than move away to college. He didn't go to college, but he learned everything, and became an expert, on land improvement through farm drainage.

He operated Erich Kraft & Son, Inc. in Pigeon for many years with his father Erich, and then his son David, and many other dedicated employees. Lowell became internationally known as a farm drainage expert. His businesses were vertically integrated through every aspect of the industry. Lowell founded the first plastic drain tile manufacturing company in Canada in 1968. He received a patent for a drainage plow. He was also a good teacher; instructing new drainage contractors on the drainage business, farm drainage science, and new technologies. Lowell was a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers for over 40 years. His travel for teaching business and drainage consultation took him to Europe, South America, the Philippines, Australia, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, and Pakistan. He flew to New York when asked to be a speaker on farm drainage at the United Nations in 1975.

In the late 1960's to enhance his family business he learned to fly an airplane and became a passionate and skilled pilot. He obtained the instrument flight rating and a multi engine rating and license.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday, June 11th at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Pigeon, where Lowell was a lifelong member. Visitation will be from 10-11:00 am at the church. Rev. Steve Neuman will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Church cemetery.

Memorials in Lowell’s memory may be made to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Pigeon, or Michigan Lutheran Seminary Foundation.