Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Lowell Roger Bethke, 87, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2023 in Shoreview, MN. He lived a long, healthy and fulfilling life that started from his birth on 7/13/1936 in Waseca, MN. Lowell worked on the family farm as a young boy and graduated from Waseca High School in 1953. Soon thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Wilker, in Meriden, MN.

Known as "Doc" by many of his friends, Lowell worked as a carpenter as a young man and then graduated from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minneapolis in 1957. He and Elaine, along with their two boys, Kevin and Kurt, then moved to Worland, WY. Doc helped countless patients with neck and back pain relief during his 51-year chiropractic career. He was very active in the Worland Elks fraternal organization, holding the title of Exulted Ruler on two separate occasions, and also spent several years volunteering on the Washakie County Search & Rescue Squad. Doc loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed camping, gardening, golf, woodworking, leather crafting, bowling and card games with his family and friends. Doc and Elaine were lifelong members of Grace Lutheran Church.

Lowell was preceded in death by brother Donald in 1997, grandson Kegan in 1988 and wife Elaine in 2004. He is survived by his sons, Kevin (spouse Sue) and Kurt (spouse Carol), sisters Jeannette and Rachel, brothers Edward and Stuart, five grandchildren (Kellan, Sean, Kara, Hannah and Noah) and eight great grandchildren (Kegan, Leona, Madison, Harper, Carly, Ryan, Bailey and Diego).

Family and friends will gather at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Meriden, MN on Saturday, October 21, at 11 a.m. to celebrate Lowell's life. A second graveside service will be held in Worland, WY the summer of 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Worland Senior Center and Grace Lutheran Church in Worland, WY.