Ronnie Ray Rowe

Ronnie Ray Rowe passed away on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at SpringBrook Village in La Crescent, MN. He was born March 20, 1935 in Neillsville, WI to LaVern and Alice (Lenzkow) Rowe. He grew up on his grand-parents farm, Herman and Tess Lenzkow, until his parents moved to La Crosse, WI. He graduated from La Crosse Central High School in 1952. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served at the Military Intelligence Base in Okinawa. Upon returning to La Crosse, he attended what is now UW-La Crosse and graduated with a Bachelors Degree. He married Barbara Bennett on August 22, 1958. He worked as a salesman for Kimberly Clark working his way up through the ranks until becoming the Vice President of the grocery division of Miles Laboratories, until retiring in 1994. Through his working career he and his family moved around the country more than seven times. After retirement, Ronnie and Barbara moved to Chandler, AZ where they lived until Barbara passed away in 2013. At that time Ronnie moved back to the La Crosse area to be near family.

He is survived by two sons Kevin (Lori) Rowe of North Barrington, IL and David (Chris) Rowe of La Crescent, MN, a daughter Sharyn Rowe of Portland, OR, grandchildren Jessica, Leslie, Becky and Hailey, two brothers Ken (Carolyn) Rowe of Stowe, OH and Gene Rowe of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and a brother-in-law Jim (Rosemary) Bennett of Hokah, MN, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Barbara, his youngest brother Greg and his sister Judy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Crucifixion Catholic Church in La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Crucifixion Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 10 AM until the time of service. The Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crescent Chapel is assisting the family.