Alma Lowdermilk Riedel

Alma Lowdermilk Riedel, 65, was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Edward Riedel, on July 8, 2024. Alma was born and raised in Holton, Kansas in July of 1958 to her mother Gloria and late father Howard Lowdermilk. Gloria was remarried to Vernon Snyder, who became Alma’s stepdad and who she grew up with. The majority of her childhood was spent in Holton with her brother, Bruce, and sister, Joyanna. Alma enjoyed playing flute and participating in the band as a baton twirler in her younger years. She met the love of her life, Ed, in college at Emporia State where she was a Chi Omega. Alma took an internship position in Arizona after graduating from college. Ed helped her move then took his first flight ever back to Kansas. Eventually, Ed moved to Arizona to be with Alma, and they married on August 8th, 1981, in the Methodist Church. Alma spent her twenties and early thirties camping, hosting Halloween parties, and enjoying life with her husband – kid free. However, she and Ed were overjoyed to become parents in 1996 when their first child was born, Heidi Lowdermilk Riedel (now James), followed by their second born, Carlie Anne Riedel (now Dreschel) in 1999. The girls quickly became the center of their world. Alma was a dedicated and extremely involved mother to her two children at school as a parent helper, in girl scouts as a cookie mom, and all things related to competitive dance as the ultimate dance mom. She was the person her girls could rely on for anything and everything. She was a proud parent of two college graduates, always pushing the girls to be the best version of themselves. As a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs fan, Alma took pride in her “She Shed” decked out in Chief’s Kingdom gear both old and new. She did not miss one game, although she may have turned a game off early if the team wasn’t doing well.

Alma’s professional life is one to reflect on. She was deeply passionate about connecting with and assisting others, especially in a time of need. Alma’s career included Director of Volunteers at Banner Hospital, Volunteer Coordinator at Grace Hospice, Membership Retention at the Gilbert Chamber, and Community Development Director at Gilbert Memorial Park. She was selfless, passionate, determined, organized, strong willed, and the best networker to grace Gilbert’s community. She is known for always “having a guy” and referring her “chamber peeps” to anyone who had a need any chance she got. Alma found passion in each position she held. She felt especially compelled to work at the funeral home as she could empathize with those who had experienced great loss, having lost her beloved Ed. She took pride in planning events for both the Chamber and Gilbert Memorial Park throughout the past few years. Alma’s love language involved cooking for her family/friends and giving silly but thoughtful gifts. She loved bringing new recipes to family events where she received consistent praise and insistence that she would need to bring the new recipe again and again. Alma was a dog person through and through, sharing a special bond with her sweet pup, Paisley. Alma also adored her three grand-pups and receiving copious amounts of pictures of them. Alma is a friend who always showed up for those she cared about (who were many), calling and checking in constantly, being the person, her friends could come to in their hardest of times. Alma was seen as a superwoman to both of her daughters, leading by example with both strength and compassion. Alma played an integral part in both of her daughters’ weddings in 2023, filling the role as both mom and dad for her girls. Alma was thrilled to watch her girls marry stand up men (Jerrod James and Thomas Dreschel) whom she felt confident would love and care for them.

A celebration of Alma’s life will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 11a.m. at Gilbert Memorial Park Cemetery and Funeral Home, 2100 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85296. Please wear pink in her honor. Alma cherished her Gilbert community, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to a charity that you believe best represents her. Some suggestions follow but feel free to give where your heart takes you: House of Refuge; MIdwest Food bank; Starbright Foundation; Friends for Life Animal Rescue; the Humane Society; the Animal Welfare League; Happy Tails Dachshund Rescue; Covenant House; Deseret Industries; Red Nose Day Charity; Small Dog Rescue. ATTN: Gilbert Chamber of Commerce for more information.