Gladys Anne Rowe, 91, passed away Monday, January 18, 2016, at Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center. Services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, January 21, at Dallas Center United Methodist Church. Private burial will precede the service at Brethren Cemetery in Dallas Center, IA.
Anne was born January 24, 1924, to Walter and Gladys (Slocum) Shirley, on the family farm west of Minburn, IA, the fifth of nine children. She attended Minburn Schools where she excelled in basketball and chorus. Anne met Roger Rowe at a 4-H function while in high school and they married two years later on August 1, 1943, in the house where she was born. This marriage lasted 63 years until Roger’s death. They won a dance contest at their grandson’s wedding as the couple that was married the longest.
Anne was a homemaker, who was a great cook and enjoyed sharing her love of cooking with others. As her kids were growing up she was a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher and active in the United Methodist Women. Anne’s life was centered around her family, she was especially proud of her grandchildren.
Anne is survived by her children, Rosemarie (Roger) Olhausen of Jefferson, Glenn (Bev) Rowe of Lorimor, Jean Patterson of Dallas Center and Phyllis Toombs of West Des Moines; nine grandchildren, Randy Olhausen, Robin Brand, Justin Rowe, Tanner Rowe, Matthew Patterson, Anne Wright, Emily Sovath, Jamie Toombs Smith and Wade Toombs; eighteen great grandchildren; and her siblings, Pat Van Atta and Robert Shirley. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son-in-law, Monty Toombs.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday at Iles-Brandt Chapel in Dallas Center. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dallas Center Library Foundation or the Dallas Center United Methodist Church. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.
The family would like to thank the staff at Spurgeon Manor for the loving care they provided our Mom.
[S5] Find A Grave, → Memorial ID 14776509.