Thelma Louise Rowe

Thelma Rowe, born on June 2, 1954, in Manhattan, Kansas, passed away on January 7, 2026, at the age of 71. Thelma was a loving mother to her two children, Stephanie Havens and Jennifer Wolfe, and was a devoted grandmother to her four grandchildren.

Born to William Joseph and Mary Ellen Rowe, Thelma grew up surrounded by the love of her eight siblings. Her brothers and sisters have fond memories of Thelma singing and playing with them when they were little. She had many stories about spending hours running around in the woods behind their home. She was an inspiration to her younger brothers and sisters and a good friend to her two older brothers over the years. She had a special bond with each one and loved them dearly.

Thelma attended Turner High School, where she graduated in 1972 before furthering her education at Avila University. She then forged a successful career as a Medical Technologist. After more than 35 years in the field, she retired in 2019 from Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, KS, where she was appreciated, beloved, and surrounded by lifelong friends.

Thelma had a passion for coin collecting, antique shopping, and history. She spent countless hours enjoying her hobbies. She delighted in discovering hidden treasures and the stories they carried. Her curiosity and appreciation for history reflected her lifelong love of learning.

Of all the roles she held, being a mother and grandmother were her greatest and most cherished. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she delighted in every moment spent nurturing, guiding, and loving them.

Her family would like to thank the wonderful team at Villa St. Francis in Olathe, KS for taking great care of her over the last few months. Every encounter was met with the utmost care and compassion. Thelma enjoyed getting to know their staff and trusted them to the fullest. It felt like the closest place to home away from home.

Thelma's legacy will live on through the memories she created with her loved ones and the impact she had on everyone she met. Thelma brought an incredible amount of love into this world and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include:

Two daughters, Stephanie Havens, her husband, Eric, and their two children; Jennifer Wolfe and her husband, Eric, and their two children, sisters, Viola Riggin and her husband, David; Rita Bodily and her husband, Allan; and Hilda Hrenchir and her husband, Ed, sister-in-law, Valerie Rowe, brothers, Stephen Rowe and his wife, Francis; and Daniel Rowe and his wife, Lori, 29 nieces and nephews, 22 great niece and 6 great- great nephews.

Preceded in death by:

Parents, William Rowe and Mary Ellen Umscheid Rowe, sister, Phyllis Mary who passed shortly after birth, brothers, William “Bill” Rowe; and John Rowe and his wife, Ronna Rowe.