Joella R. Rowland
April 24, 1944 – Dec. 19, 2020
VASSAR — Joella R. Rowland, Vassar, died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Vassar. She was 76.
Joella was born Monday, April 24, 1944, the daughter of Harry and Willa Mae (Rinabarger) Steere.
She lived in Vassar, for the last 17 years, moving there from Ottawa, where she had lived from 1965 to 2001. Joella graduated from Manhattan High School with the class of 1962.
She married Jerry Lee Rowland Nov. 17, 1962, in Manhattan. He survives of the home.
Joella was a bookkeeper most of her life. She worked for Willis Nursery, for 30 years, as well as Ottawa University, COF Training Services, Underwood Plumbing and Dr. Gregory Dulos.
She was a past member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ottawa. Joella enjoyed dancing with the Boot Scooters Dance Club, reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well known as a very kind and loving person who always put others first.
Joella was preceded in death by her father, Harry Steere; her mother, Willa Mae Hewitt; a daughter, Peggy Roatch; and two sisters-in-law, Kay Steere and Janis Warrick.
Besides her husband, she is survived by two children, Pattie Piersol (Jeff), Vassar, and Ron Rowland (Rebekah Thompson), Garnett; a brother, Larry Steere, Arlington, Texas; a brother-in-law, John Rowland (Penne), Williamsburg; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held at a later date. No services are scheduled at this time.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Midland Hospice and sent in care of Dengel and Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.
Condolences may be expressed at www.dengelmortuary.com.
