Juanita Rowland

She was born August 16, 1938 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Griffin and Vaery Lee Holmes. She met her partner in life, Alan C. Rowland, while attending the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1966. They married at their in-laws home in Albany, California in 1968.

Juanita received a Bachelors Degree from Sonoma State University graduating Suma Cum Laude in 1975. Nita, as friends called her, taught high school and college classes before transitioning to be a full time bowler and mom. In the mid 1980’s she opened J. Higby’s Yogurt & Treat Shoppe in San Jose, CA. During this time she also became the president of San Jose Women’s Bowling Association. By the 1990’s she closed the yogurt shop and went back to bowling full time and was a member of several leagues and associations within the bowling community. Bowling was her passion and she continued to bowl well into her retirement.

She loved good food, family and friends, which is how the annual Thanksgiving gatherings began in 1996.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Alan C. Rowland, and 11 of her siblings.

She is survived by sons John Danner and Jeff Danner Sr.; daughters Michelle Rowland and Maia Rowland; grandsons Jeff Danner Jr., Anthony Danner, Michael Danner, and granddaughter Alyssa Danner. She also leaves behind her sister Lavora Duckett and numerous nieces and nephews, bowling friends, and a large group of friends from around the globe.

Visitation will be 1-7 pm Friday, February 16. Service will be at 10 am Saturday, February 17 at Palm Northwest Mortuary, 6701 N. Jones Blvd, Las Vegas 89131.