Norma Rowe

Mrs. Norma Merlene Rowe of Yakima went peacefully to be with Jesus after a short illness at Astria Regional Medical Center on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Yakima, Washington at the age of 85. Norma was born on July 22, 1932 in Ellington, Missouri in a place called "Punkin Hollar" during the Great Depression to Robert and Zelpha Jones. She lived in the Ozarks of Missouri until moving with her family to Nooksack, WA in search of work and a better life, at the age of 12. She graduated college from Western Washington State College in 1953 with a degree in Teaching. She married Robert Rowe, her high school sweetheart, in 1951 in Yuma, Arizona, while he was stationed in the US Navy. Norma taught school for 29+ years before retiring from Harrah Elementary, where she was affectionately known as "Old Lady Rowe". She began her teaching career in Norfolk, Virginia while her husband Robert was in the service. She continued teaching at Nooksack Valley High School, before moving to Harrah, WA where both she and Robert were able to secure jobs in the same school. Mrs. Rowe influenced many young minds and former students claim they can still diagram a sentence. She worked hard her whole life, full-time teaching, full-time farming, working Saturdays at Sunnyside Livestock Auction, a deaconess at church, and raising a family. She was a long time member of Harrah Grace Brethren Church. Norma is survived by her husband of sixy-six years, Robert Rowe, her siblings Don (Sybil) Jones and Kay (Steve) Mallahan; her three children: DeEtta (Dave) Larson, David (George) Rowe, and Donald (D’Arcy) Rowe; her five grandchildren: Damian, Derek, Danae, and Drake Rowe, and Dessie Larson; along with seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Zelpha Jones, her stepfather Russell Swanson, and her oldest brother Robert Jones. Mom (and Grandma) was the true matriarch of the family and will truly be missed. Her family was everything to her. Norma was a survivor of breast cancer and after suffering through various health issues, she is now relieved of the pains and miseries of her earthly body and lives is Glory with her Lord and Savior. We will see you again, Mom/Grandma. We love you. A Memorial Service will be held November 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Harrah Grade School (3851 Harrah Rd., Harrah, WA) in the gymnasium. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Norma Rowe, please visit our flower store.