An ice skating instructor at outdoor rinks and at the L.C. Walker Arena since the 1950’s, Lowe embodies the spirit of what the Distinguished Service Award is all about.  While she received a nominal fee for her time of teaching figure skating, she consistently took on skaters free who could not afford the classes, while spending her own money, talents, and time to promote figure skating.

A native of Austria, where she became a professional skater at a young age, Elsa toured Europe performing in ice shows.  A resident of Muskegon since 1948, she took over the L.C. Walker Arena’s skating program from Gil McKellen in 1962.  Lowe’s dream was to produce national champion-type figure skaters from the area and she pushed on toward that goal with a vengeance.

She staged shows at the Arena in which she did all the sewing of the costumes for the 50-plus participants, in addition to designing and building the props for the set.  During the 1960’s and early 70’s, Elsa’s annual shows would draw more than 2,000 fans to the arena. She continued this work tirelessly for 15 years, until ice time at the arena became so expensive that she could no longer host shows there.  Interest in skating peaked during this era, as nearly 150 skaters enrolled in her classes annually.  Lowe continued to teach the sport she loved into 2000, and was credited with instructing nearly 5,000 skaters during her long career in the Port City and during the summer months at Bowling Green State University, Michigan State University, in Columbus, OH, and at the famous Wagon Wheel, a sprawling 300-acre resort in Rockton, IL.

Elsa was a member of the US Figure Skating Association and was rated a Senior Professional with the Professional Skaters Guild of America.  While only one of Elsa’s skaters became professional, many were gold skaters (highest honor) at national amateur competitions in Ohio.  “I’ve always believed there would be a champion coming out of Muskegon someday,” said Lowe.  I still believe that.”