Elizabeth Grietje Rowley

1927 - 2015

1927 ~ 2015
Elizabeth Grietje Terburg Rowley, 87, passed away August 29, 2015 in her home surrounded by her family from causes incident to age. Grietje was born on September 19, 1927 to Andries Terburg and Laura Susan Clements Terburg in Homestead, Florida. She married Grant Rowley in the Salt Lake Temple on April 16, 1953. She attended Oberlin College and the University of Miami, earning her BA in music. She taught high school in Laupahoehoe, Hawaii, where she discovered the LDS Church, asked the missionaries to teach her, and was baptized in the ocean in 1950. She and Grant raised their 3 children in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Grietje served on the LDS General Music Committee and served a part-time mission adapting hymns and LDS Children's songs to lyrics of many different languages. She is best known for composing the hymn "Be Thou Humble", and several selections in the LDS Children's Songbook. She spent her later years setting hundreds of scripture passages to music. Grietje was greatly loved by her family and many, many others. Her wit, wisdom, and kindness will be greatly missed.
Grietje is survived by her husband, Grant, of 62 years, children Matthew (Sue), Joel (Cheree), and Jennifer (John), 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild, sisters Mary Jo, and Marjorie (Kent) and brother William (Rona). She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, five sons, and one granddaughter.
The family would like to give special thanks to the Compass Nursing staff and Angel's Crossing Hospice, especially Heidi and Claudia.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 10:00 am at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah, with a viewing from 9:00-9:45 am prior to the service. Interment at West Jordan City Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.