Edward "Lyle" Lower, 96, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, at his home in Columbus.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 29, at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church with Father Gerry Gonderinger celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a vigil service at 7:00 PM, at Gass Haney Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday, from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery with military honors by the American Legion Hartman Post 84.   The service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890

Edward Lyle Lower was born on April 9, 1927, in Valentine, Nebraska, to Levi and Rose (Howe) Lower. He grew up in Valentine and graduated from Valentine High School in 1945. He attended the University of Wyoming at Laramie, Wyoming. Lyle served in the Army Air Force during World War ll and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was always proud of his military service for his country.

On September 5, 1950, Lyle was united in marriage to Dolores Groeger in Atkinson, Nebraska. The couple lived in O'Neill until moving to Columbus in 1962. Lyle worked as the Chief Pilot for Nebraska Public Power District for many years. He loved being a pilot and said his job never felt like work. Lyle loved being with his family and family gatherings felt like one big party.  He was a member of the American Legion, Life Member of the VFW, Quiet Birdmen, and St. Bonaventure Catholic Church.

Lyle is survived by:
Son: Greg (Sandi) Lower of Columbus, NE
Son: Rick Lower of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Deb (Tom) Romanek of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Mitzie (Kim) Walden of Sunrise Beach, MO
Daughter: Pam (Bill) Long of Columbus, NE
16 grandchildren
22 great grandchildren

Lyle was preceded in death by:
Parents: Levi & Rose Lower
Wife: Dolores Lower
Grandsons: Shaun Brown & Jeremy Long
Brother: Dick Lower