Obituary of Jerrald Rowan

(Mikwon Awāsis - Featherchild)

April 20, 1951 - Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

December 18, 2022 - Tsuut'ina Nation, Alberta

Jerrald Rowan, beloved husband of Donna Rowan (nee Pipestem), of Tsuut’ina Nation, AB, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at the age of 71 years.

Jerrald was a Ermineskin Residential School survivor. He was a cadet, an addictions counsellor, was certified with the Canadian Society of Counsellors & Therapists, and was involved in A.I.M with the late Nelson Jacobs. He was a youth worker at the health centre, worked at Wolf’s Flat Ordnance Disposal and he was on the Range Patrol. Jerrald was a pow wow singer and sang with the Pigeon Lake, Sarcee Old Agency, Bearchild, and Rowan Drum Groups. Jerrald taught singing at the Jr. and Sr. high schools and travelled for pow wows to Pinehill, New Mexico. He also participated in Round Dance and Sun Dance. Jerrald believed in practicing his traditional ways and sharing his knowledge with his nephews and nieces. Jerrald raised horses and loved his puppies, Charlie and Pebbles.

Jerrald is survived by his wife Donna Rowan, children, Melissa Rowan and Rylen Heavenfire (Felicity); grandchildren, Rylie, Sage,  William (Jackson) Rowan, Na-Pis-Staki Rowan; Great-grandchildren, Pitt-Ksa-Kii Rowan, Vaughn Aimsback, and Gracelyn Rowan; siblings, Russell Rowan, Donald (April) Rowan, Edward Heavenfire, Louie (Laura) Heavenfire, Gladys (Jim) Heavenfire, and Marlene Heavenfire; sisters-in-law, Doreen Rowan, Audrey Pipestem, Diane Rider, and Margery (Little leaf) Heavenfire; brother-in-law John (Delphine) Pipestem, son-in-law Preston House, adopted brothers, Mike (Laurel) Nawash; godchildren, Narcisse Pipestem, Hayden Heavenfire, Ian Heavenfire, Jessica Onespot, Wah-gi-yuh-toh (Crawler) Heavenfire; adopted children, David (Ginger) Onespot and Josh Starlight; nephews, Vincent Pipestem, Quentin Pipestem, Wendall Pipestem, Dakota Rabbit, John Jr. (Toni) Pipestem, Andrew (Candace) Pipestem, Narcisse Pipestem, Garrett (Pam) Heavenfire, Kyle (Loni) Heavenfire, Albert Jr. (Brie) Rowan, Matthew (Siobhan) Heavenfire, Michael (Verna) Heavenfire, Jayden Heavenfire, Daniel Heavenfire, Francis Buffalo, Graham (Raven) Rowan, Jacoby Rowan, Tyson (Nidaan) Heavenfire, Trent (Chalaine) Heavenfire, Nolan Heavenfire, Russell Jr. (Michelle) Heavenfire, Patrick (Sonia) Heavenfire, Brian Heavenfire, Joey Heavenfire, Brad (Julie) Rabbit, Arion (Holly) Rowan, and Donald Jr. Rowan; nieces, Nicole Heavenfire, Adele Heavenfire, Nadine (Conrad) Starlight, Jessica Onespot, Mildred Rowan,  Crystal (Kevin) Starlight, Gena Onespot, Claire Pipestem, Lori Ann Heavenfire, Alicia Heavenfire, Rochelle Heavenfire and Melanie Clark; as well as numerous family and friends from Alberta and Saskatchewan. We apologize if we have missed anyone.

Jerrald was predeceased by his father Edward Rowan, his mother Christine Heavenfire, stepdad Romeo Cardinal, brothers, Jon and Tommy Heavenfire, Albert Rowan, Gilbert Rowan, and Steve Heavenfire; sisters, Alvina Rowan and Barbara Heavenfire; son Lonnie Okemow; nieces, Caralee Heavenfire; nephews, Rory Bull, Murphy Rowan, and Cyrus Rowan, Lance Paul; grandsons, Randen Heavenfire, Kessler Pipestem, and Bishop Pipestem; granddaughter Makala Labelle, adopted son Theo Simon, relatives, Sarah Dodginghorse, Dan Boucher, Albert Boucher, Theo Simon, as well as relatives from Onion Lake, Pigeon Lake, Hobbema, and O’Chiese, Sunchild, and Frog Lake.

Traditional Wake Services will be held at the residence of the late Jerrald Rowan. The family invites all singers to join and sing, family honor songs. (2877 Highway 22, Tsuut’ina Nation, AB), on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 22, 2022.

Funeral Services will be held at Bullhead Hall (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) on Friday, December 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Tsuut’ina Cemetery (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB). Reception will be held at Bullhead Hall (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) immediately following the graveside. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Jerrald Rowan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.