Gavin Rowland

Gavin E. Rowland, of Mora, died by suicide after a long battle with his inner self on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at his home. He was 25 years old
Gavin Richard Eugene Rowland was born on December 18, 1998, in Mora, MN to parents Cory and Diana Rowland. He grew up in the Ogilvie area where, as a small child, he began his love for all things automotive through his collection of matchbox cars. At only 4 years old, Gavin began racing snowmobiles. After 4 years of racing, he won two championships at 7 and backed it up with two more at 8. Loving anything fast, he transitioned to racing quads. Season after season, striving and struggling to reach a goal that was seeming unreachable, spraining thumbs, breaking both arms, and Mom insisting this racing stops, a new class was created in off-season, giving Gavin the will and Mom the trust to try it one last time finally winning a state championship.
Before he was able to drive, Gavin began racing cars at 13. Ridgeland Racing had Gavin and Dad working side by side and Mom and many family members filling the cheering section. Racing Hornets, his first big win came on July 26, 2014, followed by many more including a big paying special during a 3-year run. Street Stocks in 2016 proved challenging and frustrating, yet with dedication, along with many big highlights at tracks spanning from the Dakotas to Wisconsin, he reached a major dream in 2019, winning the track championship at Ogilvie (and the banner)! In 2021, Gavin found his passion and most successful motorsport, Ice Racing, in the 2 seasons he raced, he accumulated, Rookie of The Year, Most Improved Driver, a track championship and 37 wins! He competed in 7 different motorsports in his career, succeeding in each one. Racing was his passion!
Gavin spent most of his life racing, hunting, fishing and working alongside his dad, but was really excited when he became a union member in the summer of 2024, and worked for Precision Hardscapes in the summer of 2024 with his cousins.
Loving the outdoors, Gavin enjoyed hunting (especially duck hunting), fishing, camping and his latest passion was riding motorcycle. Gavin was so proud of his Harley Davidson Street Glide and was riding all the time with his dad, family and friends. Most of all, Gavin loved his family. Gavin will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, heart of gold and huge smile. He will be forever missed by all that knew and loved him
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Denise Peterson.
Gavin is survived by his father Cory Rowland; mother Diana Rowland; sister Naomi (Derek) Soderquist; brother Alex Iler; nieces, Aubrey, Adah and Allison; grandparents Claudia Cauley, Richard (Kate) Rowland and Dennis Peterson; aunts and uncles, Tracy (Nate) Suppon, Pepper (Tim) Glick, Niki Rowland (Chris), Angie Rowland, Deana Engstrom, Daniel Peterson and Davya (Chris) Hamre; 10 loving cousins; along with many other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Ogilvie Raceway.
A Memorial Service and Time of Sharing will be held around 12:00 noon.