Ilona Löwen, the wife of St. Louis City star Eduard Löwen, died of brain cancer on Monday, March 9, the MLS club announced.
Per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Löwen was 28 years old.
St. Louis City released a statement on Monday, saying: ‘After a two-year battle with cancer, Ilona Löwen passed away this morning, March 9, 2026.
‘We grieve alongside Edu and all those impacted by this loss and ask the City community to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Ilona was a beautiful example of love, humility, and kindness and will be deeply missed.’
The club also shared a message from the family’s pastor, Marc Sikma, which read: ‘Edu and Ilona built their life on faith in Christ, and we find comfort in knowing Ilona’s suffering is over and that she is now in the eternal presence of her Savior.’
Löwen announced his wife’s cancer diagnosis in 2024 after he had taken some time away from the team.
The German midfielder again took a leave of absence last year before returning for the second half of the campaign. He has not played for St. Louis in the club’s first three games of 2026.
‘We’re heartbroken to hear of Ilona Löwen’s passing, and we send our deepest condolences and love to Eduard Löwen, his family, and the entire St. Louis City community,’ MLS said in a statement.
Löwen signed with St. Louis City as a Designated Player in 2022 after spending his entire career in his native Germany.
The 29-year-old has 17 goals and nine assists across 71 regular-season matches in MLS.