Mankato banjoist and former Mankato Free Press newsman Lowell Schreyer, whose interviews ranged from Eleanor Roosevelt to the Smothers Brothers, died Friday of cancer at age 78.
He retired in 1992 as director of the Mankato State University News Service, but continued to enjoy his lifelong zeal for music. An accomplished musician on many stringed instruments, he recently published a historical book, “The Banjo Entertainers: Roots to Ragtime.”
“He was probably the ultimate person I’ve ever met, just a great friend and musician,” said Rip Kirby, who began playing in bands with Schreyer in 1953. Those included Marigold Dixielanders and Michael’s Minstrels.
His daughter Debbie also played, and they entertained at the New Orleans World Fair and in 1988 toured Germany as a banjo duo.
“He was the ultimate in class — Mr. Clean,” Kirby said. “When he ate he’d give every mouthful about 180,000 chews, and he’d have maybe one beer a month.
“He never had a bad word to say about anybody, and he was a damn good journalist, with a great dry sense of humor.”
New Ulm native Schreyer joined the Free Press in 1956, and his coverage ranged from county government to Vietnam war protests to features on visiting celebrities, among them actor Hal Holbrook, composer Meredith Wilson and movie star Basil Rathbone.
He also covered the first International Plowing Contest near Vernon Center, and was on the entertainment committee that brought such stars as Roy Rogers and Bob Hope.
“He was pretty well known as a newspaper writer back in the ’50s and ’60s, but at heart he was a banjo player,” said his wife Margaret, whose husband’s early work at The Free Press served to complete his life circle.
Schreyer wrote his own obituary.
“He started at The Free Press writing obits, so he knew just what to write,” his wife said.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with visitation 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mankato Mortuary.
For more Free Press news go to www.mankatofreepress.com.
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