Rowena Elaine Graves

Rowena Elaine Graves went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 17th 2023. Rowena was born on March 20, 1946 to Abraham and Amy Kroeker of Modesto, California. Rowena grew up in Modesto as the baby of the family, with two older sisters Neva (Madsen) and Janice (Domecq), and with a large extended family of Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins.

Rowena married Gary Barber after high school, and together they had a daughter, Melody (McFarlen). Though the marriage did not work out, Rowena and Gary remained friends until his death in 1997.

Rowena married Jerry Graves on May 19, 1974 . Jerry brought his three children to the marriage: Kim, Tracey, and Cory. Melody was thrilled to have siblings. Many adventures were had camping, traveling, water skiing, and participating in church missions trips. Jerry and Rowena moved to Red Bluff California in 1984.

Rowena loved horseback riding, swimming, traveling, craft projects, music, reading, grammar, politics, yard work, and serving on the Missions Committee for her church. She worked for Tehama County Environmental Health until her retirement in 2010, and loved the job. When Rob and Melody had children, Rowena was faithful to babysit and loved it. She spent hours playing Candyland, building forts in the living room, and trekking around the yard to play. She also had a wonderful sense of humor. Most of all though, Rowena loved Jesus. She was faithful in prayer for her family and others she saw in need. She loved to read the Bible and to sing hymns.

When Rowena began to show signs of Dementia, her husband Jerry was there to walk with her. He took care of her faithfully throughout the 15 years of her illness, right until the last evening, having dinner with her and praying with her. It was a hard journey, but many blessings came of it as well, the best of which is that we as her family can say we are so very happy that she is now with Jesus. Psalm 16:11 tells us that “In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Rowena is survived by her husband of 49 years Richard Jerry Graves, her daughter Melody (Rob) McFarlen, her stepchildren Kimberly (Chris) Anisko, Tracey (Jay) Van Den Baard, Cory (Leiani) Graves, grandchildren Lauren (Levi) Conner, Beth (Joseph) Donaldson, Christopher (Tyiona) Anisko, Michael Anisko, Zachary (Melissa) Anisko, Brett (Kayle) Anisko, Ben Johannes, Bailey Van Den Baard, Brayden Van Den Baard, Cody Graves, Abigail Graves, Serene Day, Madison Day, Annie Graves, Cadence Graves, Eden Graves, Ethan Graves, and Ellie Graves, and great grandchildren Silas Conner, Liam Anisko, Ariel Anisko, Adelynne Anisko, Holden Anisko, Oliver Anisko and soon to join us baby Anisko. Rowena is also survived by her sister Janice Domecq as well as cherished uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24th at Calvary Chapel 12375 Paskenta Road Red Bluff.