Obituary of Rita Ann Rowe

October 31, 1928 – Sparta, Wisconsin
December 18, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Rita Ann Rowe (nee Poss), of Calgary, AB, passed away on December 18, 2021, at the age of 93 years.

Rita was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, USA on October 31,1928. The youngest of ten children, she was raised on her parent’s diary farm. She left the farm after graduating from Sparta High in 1946 to attend the University of Wisconsin to study Nursing. There she met her future husband, Bob. They were married in Bob’s hometown of London, Ontario on September 12, 1951. As the wife of a geologist, Rita worked at creating a loving home in all the many different cities where Bob’s work took them to. First to Ottawa ON, then Warren ME, Sarnia ON, Tsawwassen BC, and finally to Calgary in 1972. Rita volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society. She was an avid curler and taught many curling classes. She was a faithful golf companion to Bob, and they shared many rounds at Willow Park Golf & Country Club and then Cottonwood Golf & Country Club. 

Rita is survived by her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Ilka Salokannel in Burnaby, BC; two sons and two daughters-in-law, William “Bill” and his wife Bunny in Calgary, AB and John and his wife Bonnie in Calgary, AB; three grandchildren, Tyler, Chelsea, and Ben, all in Calgary, AB; and four great-grandchildren, Rylan, Parker, Leighton, and Axl, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Rita is predeceased by her loving husband of fifty-two years, Robert Burton Rowe, her brothers and sisters.

Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Rita Rowe, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575