Lois Rowen

Lois Rowen passed away, Easter morning, April 9, 2023, at Iowa River Hospice in Marshalltown, Iowa. A graveside service for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the Union Cemetery, Union, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Union Library or the Honey Creek Church Preservation Fund. For more information and online condolences, go to: www.boekefuneralhomes.com Boeke Funeral Home of Hubbard is handling the arrangements.

Lois Marie (Martin) Sorensen Rowen was born on April 21, 1922 to Ralph and Rachel (Steelman) Martin near New Providence, Iowa. She attended New Providence Community School and graduated with the Class of 1939. In 1951, she married Fred Sorensen of Union; Fred passed away in 1979. Lois worked for over 30 years at Union-Whitten Savings Bank, which became Hardin County Savings Bank; she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Union; she was also a weekend cashier at Union Supper Club for many years. Lois crocheted many afghans, doilies, potholders, dish cloths, etc. for family and friends. She enjoyed doing handwork and crafts. She attended many household auctions standing by the side of the hayrack to bid. In 1986 she married Robert Rowen and they enjoyed many winters in Yuma, Arizona. Robert died in 2001. Lois remained active into her late nineties; she enjoyed get-togethers with nieces and nephews and their families; Legion Auxiliary meetings; and friends stopping in for visits. Her mind was sharp regarding detail to family history, facts of places she had traveled and places she had lived while growing up. Lois remained in her home in Union until the last two weeks of her life.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Jim (Jean) Martin of New Providence; Jack (Irene) Martin of Bozeman, Mont.; Sue Brainard of Waterloo; Becky (Tom) Kubistal of Marshall, Minn.; Dave (Cheryl) Martin, of Ames; and Marilyn (Mark) Reynolds of Clovis, Calif.; and 14 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; her sister: Mae Martin; her brothers: Wallace, Ralph and Warren Martin; and her great-nephew: Michael Martin.