Official Obituary of
Ronald L. "Ron" Rowell
December 24, 1938 ~ June 10, 2018 (age 79) 79 Years Old
Ronald Rowell Obituary
Ronald Leon Rowell, age 79, of Florence, SD, passed away on Sunday, June 10, 2018.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Pastor Greg Baldwin will officiate.
The family is requested to meet at the chapel on Monday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service. Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and prior to services at the chapel on Monday. There will be a private family burial at Helgen Lutheran Cemetery in rural Florence. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron's grandchildren: Hannah, Chet, Eric, Stephanie, Jamie, Amanda, Brittany, Derek, Mandy, Melissa, Brandon and Tracy.
Kurt Parkinson will be the active pallbearer. Ron was born December 24, 1938, in Omaha, NE, to Jay A. and Gladys M. (Severs) Rowell.
He attended Country School District #14 through the 8th grade and graduated from Waterloo High School in Waterloo, NE. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves on January 15, 1957, and was immediately placed on active duty to attend his basic and military training as a combat medic. Upon graduation and transfer to his first duty station, Ron was diverted to serve as a supply clerk for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Calvary in Fort Hood, TX.
Upon release from active duty on January 14, 1959, Ron returned to the Army Reserve to complete his remaining service obligation. He was honorably discharged on December 31, 1962. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the army never left him, as friends and family will attest. Ron had three children from his first marriage to Mary Ann Johannsen.
On June 12, 1976, he married Jeanne Annette Crowell in Florence, SD.
They enjoyed family, the children's sporting activities, camping, fishing and traveling. He also enjoyed participating in different volunteer fire departments. His career was in heating and air conditioning, which spanned over a total of 50 years. It consisted of working for others and 25 years of being self-employed. Ron is survived by his children: Leon (Melanie) Rowell of Dell Rapids, SD, Barbara (Patrick) Olson of Florence, SD, and Tammy (Merl) Hanson of Iroquois, SD; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother; and four sisters. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Jeanne; one granddaughter, Kristen; two great-granddaughters, Peyton and Hope; his parents, Jay and Gladys Rowell; three sisters; one sister-in-law; and five brothers-in-law. Ron was a devoted father who put his children first. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.
When: June 17, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
When: June 18, 2018 10:30am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Pastor Greg Baldwin will officiate.
The family is requested to meet at the chapel on Monday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service. Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. and prior to services at the chapel on Monday. There will be a private family burial at Helgen Lutheran Cemetery in rural Florence. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron's grandchildren: Hannah, Chet, Eric, Stephanie, Jamie, Amanda, Brittany, Derek, Mandy, Melissa, Brandon and Tracy.
Kurt Parkinson will be the active pallbearer. Ron was born December 24, 1938, in Omaha, NE, to Jay A. and Gladys M. (Severs) Rowell.
He attended Country School District #14 through the 8th grade and graduated from Waterloo High School in Waterloo, NE. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves on January 15, 1957, and was immediately placed on active duty to attend his basic and military training as a combat medic. Upon graduation and transfer to his first duty station, Ron was diverted to serve as a supply clerk for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Calvary in Fort Hood, TX.
Upon release from active duty on January 14, 1959, Ron returned to the Army Reserve to complete his remaining service obligation. He was honorably discharged on December 31, 1962. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the army never left him, as friends and family will attest. Ron had three children from his first marriage to Mary Ann Johannsen.
On June 12, 1976, he married Jeanne Annette Crowell in Florence, SD.
They enjoyed family, the children's sporting activities, camping, fishing and traveling. He also enjoyed participating in different volunteer fire departments. His career was in heating and air conditioning, which spanned over a total of 50 years. It consisted of working for others and 25 years of being self-employed. Ron is survived by his children: Leon (Melanie) Rowell of Dell Rapids, SD, Barbara (Patrick) Olson of Florence, SD, and Tammy (Merl) Hanson of Iroquois, SD; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother; and four sisters. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Jeanne; one granddaughter, Kristen; two great-granddaughters, Peyton and Hope; his parents, Jay and Gladys Rowell; three sisters; one sister-in-law; and five brothers-in-law. Ron was a devoted father who put his children first. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: June 17, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Service
When: June 18, 2018 10:30am
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
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In Loving Memory Of
Ronald Rowell
December 24, 1938-June 10, 2018
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