Janice Chesebro Rowen

Broadcast Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026 Time: 11:30am

Janice C. Rowen, 94, of Miller, passed away peacefully into eternity on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Wessington. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Burial will be at the Wessington Cemetery, at a later date.

Janice Kay (Chesebro) Rowen was born March 6, 1931, to Loren Roy and Mary (Johnson) Chesebro in Miller, but spent most of her childhood in Wessington when they moved when she was five. Janice was the youngest of three daughters and claimed to be "daddy's favorite," as every daughter does.

Janice attended Wessington grade school and high school, graduating in 1949. She went on to attend Huron College of Commerce, where she graduated in 1950 with a business degree. This degree helped her keep the books for her father's automotive business and later on the farm.

Music was always a part of Janice's life. As a youngster, she and her sisters sang in a trio for special occasions in the community, accompanied by their mother. Her trio singing continued for many years, with a variety of "sisters" filling in. Singing remained in her heart as she sang in the church choir and later for The Sweet Adeline's in Huron from 1987 to 1999.

On June 17, 1951, Janice married her high school sweetheart, Edwin George Rowen. Ed was drafted into the marines and the couple moved to Cherry Point, NC, where Janice worked as a clerical aid on the base. In 1953, their first child, Mark, was born. After completing Ed's military service in North Carolina, the family moved back to South Dakota, where they worked on and eventually took the reins of the Rowen family farm north of Vayland. Ed and Janice called this farm home for over 45 years. Two daughters were born while on the farm, SuAnne in 1956 and Melanie in 1962. Ed and Janice were married for over 60 years.

Janice was a wonderful homemaker and made others feel welcome in her home. She never failed to have a meal ready for her family, whether served at the table or in the field. Friends and family will always remember her "coffeetime" treats of cookies, caramel rolls, homemade donuts, cakes, pies, cobblers, and more.

Janice was an avid reader in her spare time and read thousands of books over her lifetime. Her personal library contained books from many genres, but she had a heart for regency romance novels and Mary Higgins Clark mysteries.

Everyone in her family felt the warmth of Janice's presence with their handmade knitted blankets, sweaters, hats, and mittens. She also crocheted beautiful Barbie doll clothes, doilies, bedspreads, and afghans.

The Wessington Presbyterian Church, started by Janice's grandfather, was her church home, and she had the longest membership of anyone, joining at the age of five. She was also a Sunday School teacher, Lady's Aid member, Deacon, Trustee, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Yelduz Shrine Auxiliary.

Janice is survived by her three children: son, Mark Alan (Gloria) Rowen, Pierre, granddaughter, Audra Rowen (Dave) Janke, Sioux Falls, great grandsons Nathan and Clayton; daughter, SuAnne Rowen (fiancé, Jim Kinsolving) Meyer, Miller, grandson, John Dennis (Marisa) Meyer, Jr., Carrollton, TX, great-grandsons: Rowan and Everton, great-granddaughter, Graelyn; grandson, Alexander Rowen (Jordan) Meyer, Aubrey, TX, great-grandson, Rory; daughter, Melanie (Roderick) Jackson, San Antonio, TX, grandsons, Daniel and Benjamin Jackson, San Antonio, TX, granddaughter, Sarah Jackson (Kevin) Amar, Princeton, TX, great-granddaughters Annalisa, Christelle, Olive and Gia; brother-in-law, Eugene (Joyce) Rowen; sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Rowen; and many nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; her parents, Loren and Mary; her sisters, Phyllis, and Dorothy; and a granddaughter, Laura, who are welcoming her home with open arms.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Janice's arrangements.