Lois Anderson-Rowzee

1938 - 2025

Lois Anderson-Rowzee
Born: October 8, 1938
Died: August 29, 2025
Lois (Hacker) Anderson-Rowzee, age 86 passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on August 29, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Lois was born in Sterling to Mary L. (Weidel) Hacker Hanabarger and Mason J. Hacker on October 8, 1938. Raymond T. Hanabarger became the father of her heart in1952. She grew up in Sterling and Rock Falls, graduating from Sterling High School in 1956. Lois attended Sauk Valley College and the University of Colorado, where she completed a 3-year bank marketing and management certificate while working full-time and raising her family.
Lois began her long and distinguished banking career at Central National Bank in 1958. She moved through the ranks from wrapping coins in the vault to bookkeeper to teller. Her management and leadership skills led to promotions as manager of the retail banking division and as the first female vice president at CNB. She excelled and continued to implement banking programs, publish articles on bank management and finance while mentoring future female executives at Amcore Bank. Lois was a founding member of Sauk Valley Bank when it was chartered in 1998. She served as Executive Vice president until 2003 and continued as a member of the Board of Directors until 2014. To honor Lois, SVB has established the Sauk Valley Bank Women in Business Scholarship to assist a college bound young woman in her journey toward a degree in business.
Lois's list of community and professional accomplishments is long and varied. She received the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year Award and twice received the chamber's Community Service and President's Award for outstanding service to the community. Serving six years on the YMCA Board of Directors and chairing the first-ever YMCA Leadership Luncheon honoring women in business, Lois was chosen as the first recipient of the Pearl Woods Award in 1982. She won the award again in 1999, making her the first person to receive the award twice. Lois was selected as the Business & Professional Club's Woman of the Year in 1986. She was selected as a Today's Woman by the Daily Gazette and honored in 1979 by the YMCA as a Successful Business Woman. Lois helped found the American Business Women's Association. She served as president of Financial Woman International, an organization to expand, support, and educate all women in banking.
A dedicated and passionate voice for the needy, Lois volunteered with and served on numerous charitable boards for organizations that served our community. She worked as a volunteer at CGH Medical Center for over 40 years, serving as committee chair, board member and president. Lois was a founding member of the former Salvation Army Auxiliary and a long-time board member of The Jaycees, The United Way, Good Neighbors Community Center and St. John's Lutheran Church. Regarding Sterling Public Schools, Lois led the SHS Student of the Year committee for 16 years, served on the advisory board for the Whiteside Area Vocational Center, and was recognized as an SHS Distinguished Alumnus.
Lois was an accomplished hostess, cook and baker. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends at dinner parties, luncheons, holidays, and charitable events. She spent her life caring for others in all ways: creating food baskets for families in mourning, baking cookies for the CGH Cookie Caper, and donating her famous pies for charity auctions.
With her husband, Shelby, she loved attending their grandchildren's sporting and special events. She was so proud of all their accomplishments. Together, they traveled with their motor home and even wagons and horses for trail rides and wagon trains with friends from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Kentucky. Lois cherished her friends and their adventures.
Lois is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Shelby Rowzee; her brother, Lt. Col Larry (Nelda) Hacker of Lincoln, AR; her daughter, Kelly Anderson (Dr. Ron) Walker of Phoenix, AZ; four sons: Kraig Anderson of Wichita, KS; Tom (Cheryl) Rowzee, John (Chris) Rowzee and Mark (Jennifer) Rowzee, all of Rock Falls, IL; 10 grandchildren: Dr. Christopher Walker of Gilbert, AZ; Abby Anderson, Alex Anderson, and Kristi (Juan) Gracia, all of Wichita, KS; Jessica (Brok) Hesselschwardt of Huntertown, IN; David, Kennedy, John, Kathryn and Maggie Rowzee, all of Rock Falls, IL; 10 great-grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces and nephews.
Lois is predeceased by her parents, brothers Glen (Dick) Hacker and Dr. Max Hacker and two granddaughters.
Known for her kindness, warmth, empathy and generosity, Lois was always willing to help others. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the organizations close to her heart: Sterling Schools Foundation, 510 E. Miller Road, Sterling, IL and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 703 Third Avenue, Sterling, Il, 61081.
The family would like to thank Rock River Hospice for their expertise and gentle care during Lois's long illness. Her nurse, Lori Todhunter, became a true friend while Lennon Allison provided comfort and guidance to our family. We truly appreciate all the staff who helped during her journey.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 5 from 4-7 p.m. at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Avenue, Rock Falls, Il. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 6 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 703 Third Avenue, Sterling, IL. Burial will follow at Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling.