Lowell Eldon Palmquist

Lowell Eldon Palmquist died on August 25, 2023 at Mill Vista Lodge, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, surrounded by his loving wife, Mona, and their three children in his final days. The youngest of 5 children, Lowell was born on November 25, 1929 in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, to Roy Leonard and Gladys Hermina (Hyland) Palmquist.

Lowell graduated from St. Olaf College in 1952. He was immediately called to use his math skills in the Korean War as a Staff Sargeant in the U.S. Army 48^TH Field Artillery Battalion, 7^th Infantry Division from 1952 to 1954, where he received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and other commendations. Following his military service, Lowell received a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from the University of Minnesota in 1958.   

Lowell was an admired health administrator, beginning his career as business manager at Redwood Falls (Minnesota) Municipal Hospital, 1955-1956; continuing as an administrator at Fairview Hospital, Minneapolis, 1958-1969; and guiding Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, Colorado, through expansive growth and success as CEO from 1969-1987. He subsequently held executive positions with VHA, Inc. in both Englewood, Colorado and Washington, D.C. until his retirement in 1998.

Lowell is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ramona Cecelia Palmquist, his son David Palmquist of Denver, CO and his daughter Cecelia; his daughter Nancy Palmquist of Ken Caryl Ranch, CO and her two sons Stefan and Shaw Gifford (wife Jessica and daughter Kenna); and his son John Palmquist of Denver, CO, his wife Elizabeth and their two sons Andrew and Will.

Lowell was a kind and generous person who was devoted to the love of his life Mona and their family. He enjoyed travelling the world with Mona and tending the garden at their Greenwood Village, CO home for more than 40 years. He was a devoted member of University Hills Rotary, where he tirelessly volunteered with the Four-Way-Test program to teach the tools of ethical decision-making to middle school students. Lowell and Mona have also been committed members and volunteers at Bethany Lutheran Church for more than 50 years.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E Hampden Ave, Englewood, CO.  In lieu of flowers please make any gifts to Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation (https://www.vfw.org/foundation).