Lowell O'Dell Amundson was born to O'Dell and Eunice Amundson on October 29, 1921. He lived in Sanborn, North Dakota with his parents and received his education through high school there. His education continued at the State School of Science, Wahpeton, in the field of Aeronautical Engineering. He entered the Air Corps at Chanute Field, Illinois, for basic training at the age of 18½ years, and became an instructor at Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado. During his service there he designed and planned Buckley Field at Denver. Pearl Harbor brought on war with Japan during his service at Lowry Field and he received further training in various fields at Bases throughout the United States and was sent to Okinawa with a B-29 group. He obtained his promotion to Captain at this time. He had entered the Air Corps as a private with a salary of $21 per month, less laundry and insurance. His rise in rank came at regular intervals and he saw service in England, Norway and the Philippines. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Colonel on August 1, 1971. His last assignment was in the Clark Air Force Base in the office of Deputy Commander of Materiel. During his service he flew all types of planes, and completed his tour as pilot of the sophisticated F-4. He served as Deputy of Materiel at Davis-Monthan Air Base at Tucson for three and one-half years, and after retirement he and his family have chosen Tucson as their retirement home. Colonel Amundson is now engaged in the real estate business in Tucson.
Lowell O'Dell Amundson was married to Ramona Jean Bellows on April 9, 1950 and three children were born to this marriage. Sharon Kay, who received her education at schools located at various Air Bases and graduated from the Univ. of North Dakota, majoring in History and English. She is now married to George Orff, and lives in Whinier, California. They have two children: Jennifer and Stephanie. Mr. Orff is completing his law study. The second daughter, Susan Diane, also received her education at various Air Bases and completed her education at the U. of North Dakota, with a degree in Journalism. She married Gary Chan, a civil engineer with the State Highway Dept. They live in Topeka, Kansas, and have two children, Jeffrey and Rachel.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 15