WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Evelyn M. Rowe, age 93, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away early Saturday morning, Jan. 8, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.
She was born July 22, 1917, in Chicago, a daughter of the late William C. and Florence E. (Greasby) Mohr.
Evelyn had resided in Sturgis since 1968 coming from LaGrange County, Ind.
She was first married to Robert Houser. She later married Maynard Misner who died in 1960 she then married Leroy Schrader who died in 1979. Following the death of Mr. Schrader, she married Boyd Rowe who died in 2000.
Evelyn retired from Farm Bureau in LaGrange, Ind., where she had been employed as a secretary from 1960-1969. She had also worked at the Kirsch Company in Sturgis for several years.
She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis where she was also a past member of the Friendship Circle. Evelyn was a 50 year member and Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Star #251 in LaGrange, Ind., LaGrange Past Matrons Club. Teti-Sheri Temple Daughters of the Nile in Fort Wayne, Ind., 50 year charter member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem Faith Chapter in Anderson, Ind., Past President of the Wolcottville High School P.T.A., member of Christian Women’s Club, City, Country Craft Club and the Sewing Club. Evelyn also played the piano several years ago at the Valentine Church and the Lakeview Church, both in Indiana.
She is survived by her grandsons, David Houser of Shipshewana, Ind., Jack Houser of Albion, Ind., Roger (Margo) Houser of Bristol, Ind., and Donald Houser Jr. of Michigan City, Ind.; granddaughters, Kim (Dennis) Galinas of LaGrange, Ind., Patricia (Jason) Sanford of LaGrange, Ind., and Lori (Aaron) Pugh of Michigan; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and son-in-law, Jerry L. Gray of Wolcottville, Ind.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; one son, Donald Houser; one daughter, Dorothy Gray; two grandsons, Robert Gray and Richard Gray; one great grandson, Joshua Gray; daughter-in-law, Joann Houser; one sister, Eleanor Davis and step-father, Earl Houser.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Evelyn M. Rowe will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Revs. Deb Johnson and Robert Keim will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at the Woodruff Cemetery in Woodruff, Ind.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Rowe’s memory consider the First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60707.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family
