Rowena Janet Horn

She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed. She is survived by her daughters and their partners Kate and Pat, Barb and Steve, Laurie and Kevin. She loved her son-in-laws like her own. Her grandchildren Megan (Luke), Josh (Sun), Zoey (Alex), her step grandchildren Ashley (Ted) and Amanda (Mark) and step great grandchildren, Alyster, Helena, Olive and Sophia. Her brothers Delmar and Lloyd and sister Vera.

She was born on Sept 18, 1935 the 11th daughter of 14 siblings. Her father, Julius Strelow, was born in America, the son of a Nebraska Farmer, who later became a Lutheran minister. Her mother, Louise Strelow, also a first generation American, was a florist before becoming a mother. Rowena loved all of her siblings. She enjoyed it when the older children came home from school and shared their stories and their dog Zipper, except when she had to pick up after him every day (her words). She relished visits with her brothers Lloyd and Mark, sisters Veleda, Irma, Vera and their families.

Rowena graduated from Canton High School in 1952 while working part time for Woolworths. She attended Saint John’s College in Winfield Kansas graduating in 1954 as a teacher, which was her passion. In her journal she made numerous references how nice it was to have her own room at school. During college she was a nurse’s aide, librarian, and book keeper and worked at Green Giant Corporation, which ensured her children would always eat vegetables. Rowena had several suiters who wrote her letters and courted her, but only one won her heart, Ernest Werner Horn. They had a loving friendship and partnership for 52 years.

On November 23, 1956, Rowena and Ernie were married in White Plains, New York. Their honeymoon was driving Rowena’s Rambler station wagon to Denver, Colorado visiting her siblings along the way. She began her teaching career in Boone, Iowa at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church and Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Overland, Missouri. Rowena made scrap book albums with photos and class rosters of all her students. She cared about each and every student. For the next two decades, when she wasn’t teaching she was a licensed day care provider, sometimes caring for 6-8 children in addition to her own.

Rowena and Ernie purchased their first home in Broomfield, Colorado in 1957. The house was built and they moved in time for their first daughter, Kathleen (Kate), to be born on Christmas day 1960. They enjoyed the seasons and watching the trees, roses and bushes they planted mature over the next 32 years in this home. Their second daughter, Barbara, was born in May 1963 and third daughter, Laurie in April 1965. In 1975 Rowena began working at Geneva Generics, a pharmaceutical company. For the next 21 years she was the “drug” queen jokingly at home but was respected and promoted numerous times. She had many stories about the world of drug making, supervision and inventory.

Rowena became a grandmother in 1987 and dedicated her time to her grandchildren, community and church. She was devoted to her Lord Jesus Christ and expressed that love in numerous ways impacting and influencing many along the way. She loved playing the piano, singing hymns, studying the bible and helping others. In Colorado she belonged to Emmaus, Beautiful Savior, Eternal Savior, Shepard of the Valley, Lord of Life and Abiding Love Lutheran Churches. The family humored that Rowena moved furniture while Ernie moved churches. Rowena was always looking for ways to serve others. She had a grounded and consistent spiritual presence on this earth. Her heart was with Ernie’s on earth and long after his passing in 2008.

Rowena loved playing card and board games and would surprise many with her competitiveness. She was the puzzle CEO always able to finish the most difficult of puzzles. In heaven perhaps she is reunited with all the missing puzzle pieces that drove her nuts. She loved the autumn leaves, flowers and roses, Wheel of Fortune, a good conversation and spending time with family and friends. She was very proud of her family’s successes and was always there for life’s challenges. Rowena would always say, “Do the best you can, that is all you can do.” And she did. And we are forever grateful. It was a privilege to be in her presence, she was deeply loved and will be missed.

A Memorial Services will be held on April 9, 2022 at 1 PM at Abiding Love Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colorado 2825 East 1st Street (80537). In lieu of flowers, donations can be mailed to the Church. The family is grateful for any memories, stories, photos or condolences shared on this site below, sent to PO Box 163, Marvel, Colorado 81329 or emailed to [email protected].