Sharman L. Lowenberg

Sharman Lowenberg, 75, of Afton, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026, surrounded by family at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held 3 p.m. Monday, May 4, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Rev. Jim Maeder will officiate. The service will be livestreamed, with a link available under her obituary. Private burial will take place at a later date. Open visitation, with family receiving friends, will be held 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday prior to the service. A luncheon will follow at the Eagles Club in Creston.

Memorials are to the family, to be designated at a later time. Online condolences may be made at www.powersfh.com.

Sharman Leigh Lowenberg was born Aug. 23, 1950, daughter of Olin Bernard Wyatt and Clora Delle (Jeffrey) Wyatt in Creston. She grew up in Afton and graduated from East Union High School with the class of 1968.

On July 18, 1969, she was united in marriage to Dale Robert Lowenberg at the Afton United Methodist Church. Together, they built their life and home south of Afton on the Wyatt family farm, where they raised their three children: Shannon, Tammy and Patrick.

While raising her family, Sharman worked for many years at Innovative Industries, where she served and advocated for individuals with disabilities. At the age of 50 she earned her Master of Science degree from Drake University, specializing in rehabilitation and mental health counseling, and became a licensed mental health counselor. She went on to work as a mental health counselor with Crossroads and later served the state of Iowa as a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

Sharman truly lived a life centered on service and helping others. Over the years, she and Dale opened their home to more than 70 children through the foster care program, as well as through friends and community connections. Many of those children remained part of their extended family, maintaining close relationships that continued throughout their lives.

Sharman and Dale shared a passion for creativity and community, hosting an annual picnic for individuals with disabilities and Innovative Industries, Inc. for more than 43 years. Together, they designed American Golfic mini-golf on their farm, a unique and challenging 18-hole course that remains free to the public, supported by donations. In retirement, they devoted much of their time to expanding and maintaining the course, often hosting fundraisers for local charities. Sharman loved ice cream and enjoyed working alongside Dale on their many projects, tending to her flower beds and playing cards with close friends.

Nothing brought Sharman more joy than her children and grandchildren. She loved them fiercely and unconditionally, taking great pride in who they were and who they were becoming. She cherished every moment with them, including reading to them, playing games and sleepovers. She and Dale also enjoyed camping, kayaking and traveling, often taking all the grandchildren away on week-long adventures.

She is lovingly survived by her husband Dale Lowenberg of Afton; her daughters, Shannon (Matt) Harper of Afton and Tammy (Jade) Stuart of Creston; her grandchildren: Emma Harper (Colin McGathey), Abby Harper (Ethan Ayers), Tyson (Morgan) Stuart and Will Stuart; her sister Patty (Max) Lowenberg of Afton; her in-laws: John Lowenberg, Glen (Sue) Lowenberg, Dallas Maeder and Bert Lowenberg and a large, loving extended family including: Janbo (Marie) Gugino, Shannon Jo (Phillip) Hart, John ( Crystal) Proffitt, Troy Proffitt (Sam), Alyssa (Jacob) O’Connor, Jena (Alejandro) Espana, Dalhton (Nicole) Proffitt, Sami and Wyatt Proffitt, Gage and Chandler Thomas, Henry Proffitt, Weston Proffitt, Xochitl Espana and Ella O’Connor; many beautiful nieces; a variety of ornery nephews for every occasion; her closest friends, Dorene Rusk and Lila McCann and loyal canine companion, Olie. Sharman also leaves behind many, many cherished friends and cousins.

Sharman was preceded in death by her parents; son Patrick Lowenberg; nephew Jesse Lowenberg; grandson Zion Christopher and in-laws: Joan, Lois, Mary, Phil, Paul, Leo, Jim, Dean and Gene Lowenberg.