Marie C. Rowekamp

Of Clarence Center, New York, April 22, 2023, Age 94. Beloved wife of the late Elmer Rowekamp. Loving mother of Vickie (Paul) Klatt, Keith (Tammy) Rowekamp, Dale (Lisa) Rowekamp, Ken (Kellie) Rowekamp, Laura (Gary) Pacos and the late Mark Rowekamp. Dear grandmother of Michael Klatt, Kristen Klatt, Meghan Ferguson, Andy Rowekamp, Mindy Rowekamp, Michelle Griffee, Jenny Rowekamp, Brian Pacos, Maria Pacos, Zakary Rowekamp. Great grandmother of Hazel Ferguson and Amelia Ferguson. Daughter of the late Ezra Elmer Berhns and Caroline Johanna Schuth. Sister of the late Dorine (Don) Behrns Classen and Lester (Shirley) Behrns. Marie was born in Wabasha, MN. She grew up on the family farm on Greenfield Hill, just outside of Wabasha. She attended a country school through the 8th grade and then the high school at St. Felix in Wabasha. After graduation she attended secretarial school in Winona, MN where she met Elmer Rowekamp at a dance in June 1946. She went to work for Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis and married Elmer. They built their first home in Minneapolis and started a family. Vickie, Mark (deceased) and Keith were born in Minneapolis. In 1958 they moved to Milwaukee, WI where they built their second home and expanded their family. Dale, Ken and Laura were born in Milwaukee. While Vickie was in high school, they hosted an exchange student from the Philippines for a year. Cathy Areza became part of the family and Marie has continued to communicate with the Areza family for nearly 50 years. In 1972 they moved to Pittsburgh, PA where Marie worked as an Administrative Assistant at Consol Coal. The family continued to be involved in the foreign exchange program, hosting and entertaining other students from around the world. The friendships that were forged with those students became a catalyst for future trips to visit them in their home countries. On those trips Marie and Elmer visited the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Italy, Yugoslavia (now Croatia & Slovenia), Austria, Germany, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. In 1978 they moved to Buffalo, NY and finished raising their family. Marie worked as an Executive Secretary for HSBC Bank and retired in September 1994. After 52 years of marriage, Elmer passed away in September 2001 but Marie continued to live in the family home for another 20 years. Marie was an active member of St. Gregory the Great parish for over 40 years. She also volunteered and worked in the parish administrative office for 20 years and she most enjoyed preparing the weekly mass bulletin. In January 2021 she moved to Vinecroft, an independent living complex in Clarence Center, NY. She loved her apartment, having dinner with her friends and watching birds at her feeders. Over the years she also loved spending time with her 10 grandchildren and more recently she welcomed two great grandchildren. Family and friends may call on Sunday April 30th from 3-6pm at PERNA, DENGLER,ROBERTS FUNERAL HOME 1671 Maple Rd. Williamsville, NY 14221. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday May 1st at 10:30am at St. Gregory the Great Church 200 St. Gregory Ct. Williamsville, NY, where memorials may be made in lieu of flowers. Please assemble at church.