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A close call

Lowell Bagstad feels lucky to be alive

Photo by Jim Muchlinski Bob Meffert, left, and Mary Meffert, back center, are proud to be good neighbors to Lowelll and Elinor Bagstad. They recently helped Lowell when he suffered a heart attack at age 95.

MARSHALL — Lowell Bagstad was hospitalized earlier this spring after suffering a heart attack. At age 95, he and his wife, Elinor, who is also in her 90s, live in the Eatros Addition at the same home they’ve owned for many years.

They were two of the first residents of the addition, which was started in the 1950s.

More than 60 years later, Lowell spent an entire night in a living room chair with chest pains, unable to make it to the bedroom. Elinor found him in the morning.

They talked about what to do and decided hospitalization was needed. For a third opinion, Elinor called Mary and Bob Meffert, who have been one of their backyard neighbors for many years.

“I answered the phone at 6 a.m.,” Mary said. “I said they maybe should call 911. They felt they didn’t need it, that they could make it if they did it together.”

In response, Meffert decided to step in and help their neighbors and friends.

“I felt I had to get over there,” Mary said. “I wasn’t sure she could get Lowell to the car by herself. Bob and I have always told them they could always call if they needed help, and I’m glad she did. I wouldn’t have thought anything of it if I’d have happened to see a light on. They’re early risers.”

Between all three of them, they successfully transported Lowell to Avera Marshall.

“I just prayed,” Mary said. “I prayed all the way to the hospital because I have no medical training. I was relieved when he was there and could get the care he needed.”

Lowell was transferred to the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., but then began to improve. His recovery progressed to the point that he could go directly home after several days.

“We got through it,” Elinor said. “Looking back at it, I honestly don’t know if we could have handled it by ourselves. I called Mary because I needed to talk to someone before we tried. She came and helped us. They’re great neighbors.”

In the past few days, Lowell has continued to enjoy good health. He even drove out to a greenhouse to buy flowers for the front entrance to their home.

“I feel good again,” he said. “They took really good care of me. It’s good to be home.”

He said he doesn’t know what it takes to live a long and healthy life.

I don’t think there’s any secret,” Lowell said. “For my wife and I, it just happened. We’re very thankful.”

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