Barbara Lowe

Barbara Rasmussen Lowe, beautiful wife, beloved mother of 7 sons, grandmother of 43, and great-grandmother of 77, passed away Friday, September 4, 2015, at the age of 92 in Orem, Utah. She was born September 14, 1922 in Vernal, Utah to Thurmer Theodore and Vervene Glines Rasmussen, the oldest of 4 children. On June 26, 1946, she married Richard Holling Lowe in the Salt Lake Temple. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her church service deliberately bowed to her unusual musical abilities. Her testimony was unwavering, and her anchor of faith has been an inspiration to her posterity. Following the death of her husband in 1985, she served in the Little Rock Arkansas Mission. Her life was full of love and service, with open arms and a smile for all. She was everyone's favorite grandmother, family or not! Well-respected in music circles, Barbara was an accomplished musician, master music theory teacher and author. She began her classical training at a young age, developing incredible sight-reading talents as well as perfect pitch. She quickly became a much sought-after accompanist, a talent that followed her even into her 90's. To see her step on stage and perform as she did in her 80's in concert venues around the country, including Branson, Missouri, was truly amazing, as her fingers flew through dazzling impromptu renditions of old-time favorites and hymns or challenging double piano concertos, bringing people to their feet. With five albums to her credit, she was equally comfortable in the classroom, her living room, or on stage, thrilling students, family members, or audiences of all sizes with her piano styling that is "Simply Barbara." Raised on a farm in Lapoint, Utah, Barbara graduated from Uintah High School with honors, where she accompanied every show and chorus and even played with the school dance band. She graduated from BYU with honors in 1944 with a major in Music and a double minor in German and Education, once again accompanying for the finest of campus groups and performers. Following graduation, she taught music at Dixie College in St. George, Utah, Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming, Utah State Agricultural College in Logan, Utah, and at BYU in Provo, Utah, where she co-authored Piano Study Guide and Workbook with Dr. William Foxley. Her students adored her and loved her enthusiastic encouragement to help them succeed. With seven well-trained musical sons, Barbara and her husband formed The Lowe Family Dance Band, which played for dances all over the state of Utah for many years. Following her teaching career and raising her sons, she worked as a real estate agent in Utah Valley until retirement. Barbara was an avid reader of history, biographies, and the scriptures, reading the entire Book of Mormon each week in her later years. She loved the temple, family history, Costco, Heaps Brick Oven, her prized roses, and watching BYU sports with a bowl of popcorn. And who could ever forget her masterful hands in the kitchen, turning out scrumptious cinnamon rolls, chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles, a kettle of potato soup, fresh corn, peaches and cream, or hot bread and fresh jam for anyone who came through her door! She is survived by seven sons: Dallas (Suana), Jerry (Sandy), Robert (LeeAndra), Phillip (Janet), Steven (Kathy), Richard Jr., (Julia), and Randy (Karen); one brother: Darris T (Sherry) Rasmussen; and twelve nieces and nephews. Her husband, two sisters, three grandsons, two great-granddaughters, one great-grandson, and one nephew preceded her in death. Friends may call Friday evening, September 11, 2015 from 6-7:30 PM at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 S. State St., Orem, Utah. Services will be at 11 AM Saturday, September 12, 2015 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2445 North 650 East, Provo, Utah, with a viewing from 9:45-10:45 AM. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

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