Marjorie B. Rowen

Marjorie Belle (Martin) Rowen was born February 16, 1927 on a farm seven miles northwest of Clarks, Nebraska, the daughter of Henry Lee and Orabelle (Cruickshank) Martin.  Marjorie graduated from Central City High School, Central City, Nebraska, in 1944.  After graduation, she attended the Electronic Radio and Television Institute in Omaha, Nebraska.  Upon completion of her schooling, Marjorie spent time as a trainee for the Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR) as a telegrapher with a Mr. P.L. Rowen (her future father-in-law).  Upon completion of her traineeship, she started working full time for the ICRR.Marjorie and Loys D. Rowen were united in marriage, August 17, 1947, at the Congregational Church in Newell, Iowa.  Marjorie left the ICRR shortly after her marriage to Loys Rowen. Their union was blessed with three children: Philip Lee Roy, Marla Jean and Barbara Ann.  Marjorie and Loys were privileged to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary shortly before Loys’ death, August 31, 2012.From 1950 until 1974, they made their home in Cherokee, Iowa. In 1974, Loys’ was elected General Secretary Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks (BRAC). For Loys new position, they moved to Bourbonnais and Kankakee, Illinois. Loys retired in 1986, and they then moved to Denison, Iowa in July of 1989 to be near their daughter Marla and her family. Marjorie moved into Eventide Lutheran Home in 2010, when it became too difficult for them to live in their own house.In August of 1952, with three small children at home and just before their fifth wedding anniversary, Marjorie contracted polio and was hospitalized in Sioux City, Iowa for seven months and then treated at Warm Springs, Georgia, for six months.  She knew she had “a big mountain to climb”. The help provided by the March of Dimes was much needed and appreciated. From her wheelchair Marjorie was able to keep house, raise her children, took Adult Education classes for cake decorating and ceramics. She sewed clothes for Marla and Barb, including prom formals, wedding gowns and bridesmaid gowns. She also made many of her own clothes, adjusting them to fit her needs. Marjorie was active in Girl Scouts as a unit leader and director of the week long day camp at Spring Lake Park in Cherokee.  In their retirement years, both Marjorie and Loys enjoyed demonstrating their Morse Code sending and receiving skills at the Albert City Threshermen Show, Woodbine Apple Festivals and Cub Scout events.  She enjoyed creating count and stitch plastic canvas Christmas, Halloween ornaments and Easter baskets. She took pride in exhibiting these, along with T-shirt quilts for her grandchildren, at the Crawford Co. Fair.  Marjorie crocheted Easter toys and knitted baby blankets for her all grandchildren and great grandchildren.Loys and Marjorie enjoyed travel, visiting almost all 50 US States and many Presidential Libraries, along with wintering in Texas and Arizona with friends and family.  One of their favorite trips was to Custer State Park in the Black Hills with all of their family to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.  Marjorie loved her family deeply and to tend their Iowa roots she mailed countless newspaper “clippings”; articles, jokes and word puzzles from the local newspapers.  She was known for the letters she would write to family and friends, including making carbon copies to send to her children. The third child dreaded receiving the barely legible second carbon copy. She received great joy in making cherry pies for her family from the tree that Loys planted in their backyard. Each cherry saved from raiding birds was lovingly pitted by hand. Family and friends were the glad recipients of her Christmas cookies and candies. They were individually wrapped in wax paper to keep fresh when sent all around the world as two grandsons deployed overseas. Keeping her mind sharp, she spent many leisure hours working crossword puzzles and doing the daily word search.  She so enjoyed her membership and participation in the First United Methodist Church in Denison and the United Methodist Women Circle. Marjorie lived according to her motto: “There is no such word as, I can’t”. Yes, that is really two words but so what. Her fierce determination, intelligence, curiosity about life, and her love and devotion to her family and friends has been an inspiration to her children and grandchildren.Marjorie died peacefully Saturday morning, December 12, 2015, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa.  At the time of her death she had been blessed with 88 years, 9 months and 26 days. Marjorie was preceded in death by Loys, her parents, brother Darwin Martin, sisters, Lois Harvell and Maxine Lewis, and her brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Bob Lewis, Pauline and Nathan Rowen, and Delia and Rothe Witter.Those remaining to cherish her memory include her family, Philip and Candy Rowen of Great Falls, Montana, Marla and Rick Franck of Denison, Iowa, and Barbara and Kenneth Chen of Great Falls, Virginia; her grandchildren, Kari Rowen, Chris and Kristen Rowen and James Rowen all of Great Falls, Montana, Diana and Zachary Bowley of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Major Derrick Jr. and Julia Franck of Newport, Rhode Island, Captain David and Sarah Franck of Columbus, Mississippi, Kendra and Brent Bradley of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kenneson Chen of Oakland, California, seven great grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, along with many friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, Denison, Iowa, with Rev. Jan Burnett officiating.  Music for the service included her granddaughter Diane R. Bowley singing “On Eagle’s Wings” and the congregation singing “In the Garden” and “Rock of Ages” with Nancy Miles as accompanist.  Pallbearers included Rick Franck, Kenneth Chen, Major Derrick R. Franck, Jr., Captain David R. Franck, Kenneson A.Z. Chen and Kendra A. Bradley.  Graveside services and interment were held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015, at the Newell Cemetery, Newell, Iowa.  Following the service in Denison all were invited to remain at the church and join the family for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the United Methodist Women.  The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements where a visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2015.