Obituary for Joseph Earl Roewe

Joseph Earl Roewe died peacefully January 5, 2008 at Timberland Health Center, Urbandale, Iowa after a five-year struggle with Alzheimer''s Disease. Until his move to Urbandale in 2006, Joe was a lifelong resident of Laurens in Pocahontas County, Iowa. Born January 16, 1922 on the Roewe family farm east of Laurens, Joe attended Iowa State University, studying agronomy until his brother''s service in World War II required him to leave the university to help with the farm operation. He was a member of Farmhouse fraternity. Joe married Lois Field of Hawarden on March 25, 1945. They were active members of the Laurens United Methodist Church and the Laurens Golf and Country Club. Joe was a district lecturer and a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and Past Patron of Eastern Star. For many years he served as leader of the Swan Lake Huskies 4-H Club and many positions, including chairman, of the Pocahontas County Democrats. Farming was Joe''s passion and career. The Roewe farm was established 125 years ago and is under current management by the fourth and fifth generations - Joe''s son Dale Roewe and his grandson Taylor. Joe Roewe was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mae Roewe and his brothers, Henry and August Roewe. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lois Field Roewe, his sister Rachel Morgan (Harry) of Glenview, IL, and four children, Gary Roewe of Pleasant Hill, Marcia Roewe Wubben (Alan) of Forest City, Janet Roewe Piller (Dan) of Urbandale and Dale Roewe of Laurens and former son-in-law Norm Farrington of Council Bluffs. Joe will be lovingly remembered by his eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A short memorial service will be held Sunday, January 6 at Deerfield Retirement Community at 2 p.m. Masonic and memorial services will be held Saturday, January 12, 10:30 a.m. at the Laurens United Methodist Church. A luncheon will follow with family visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family is establishing memorial gifts for Alzheimer research, the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the Laurens United Methodist Church.