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Michael T. Rowles

FUNERAL HOME

Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service - St. Paul Park

1201 Portland Avenue

Saint Paul Park, Minnesota

Michael Rowles Obituary

Rowles, Michael T. Age 82 of Cottage Grove, Minnesota Our beloved Mike passed peacefully on October 17, 2007 at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood. Born July 22, 1925 and preceded in death by parents Charles and Catherine Rowles, brother Jack and grandson Quentin Norman. Survived by Margaret, his bride of 57 years and sisters Patricia Buckvold, Kathleen (Don) Bethke, Nancy Donnelly, and brother Lawrence (Donna) Rowles; daughters Anne Johnson, Elizabeth (Phil) Rodgers, Mary (Matt Kramer) Rowles, Kate Rowles and Gretchen Duggan; sons Tom (Leslie) Rowles and Dan (Joy Baleisis) Rowles. Grandchildren Katie, Mike, Amanda, Isabel, Luke, Andrea, Bridget; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. A 3M employee for 41 years, Mike enjoyed family and friends more than anything. We will miss the sound of his beautiful laughter and feel blessed to have had him among us for so many years. Together we rejoice that he now rests in the arms of The Savior. Mass of Christian Burial, Monday, October 22, 2007 at 11AM at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 920 Holley Avenue, St. Paul Park, MN. Visitation Sunday from 4-8PM at KOK FUNERAL HOME, 1201 Portland Avenue, St. Paul Park, MN (651-459-2875) and one hour prior to service at church. Prayer Service Sunday at 7PM at KOK FUNERAL HOME. Interment St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the American Cancer Society are preferred.

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Published by Pioneer Press from Oct. 18 to Oct. 19, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Rowles

19 Entries

Annie Johnson

October 16, 2008

It's been a year Dad and I've missed you every single minute. I am glad you didn't suffer in your final days and am so incredibly grateful for the gentle way you left us.
I miss your voice Dad, your laughter, your advice, kindness and the many nuances that made you so special. We are taking care of Mom and she misses you deeply. She talks about you and has reached out for you, so we know you are holding her hand. She'll be with us for a while Dad, so please keep her heart filled with your love until you are together again.
Having lost you takes my breath away Dad. I want you back for just one more lifetime so I could do more of, well, everything with you. You gave me a great life, provided me with all I would need to grow and learn, but... I just wasn't ready to let you go. My heart is healing and I am coming to terms with life without you, and our life with Mom as she battles this terrible disease of Alzheimer's. You worked so hard throughout your life and took such great care of Mom. You were a wonderful Father, Dad. Thank you for my life, for sharing so much of yourself with us kids, and for stamping such a great imprint of yourself on my soul.
I figure I can wish for anything and I'm wondering if you would just save a little spot for me in heaven and when I get there we could share a Pepsi from a bottle, have a salad and talk. I have so much more to tell you and I would love to hear your voice and listen to you tell me about eternal life.
XO,

Helen Towle

October 22, 2007

Many of us in Oregon who know and love Kate, feel like we know the whole family from the tales she has shared. My heart goes out to you all. You are in my thoughts. I hope you find comfort and peace through the wonderful memories you have of your father.

Mike Pungercar

October 22, 2007

Having lost my father last Nov. my heart and prayers go out to Kate and Liz and the rest of the family during this difficult time. May you all find peace and healing through the love of our Father.

Denise Smith

October 22, 2007

I too did not know Mike, but after knowing Kate and hearing many of the stories of the Rowles Clan, I say well done Mike and Margaret! I appreciate the hole your Mike's passing will create, and I hope that the gift the memories of laughter and loving together will help to fill that hole just a bit.

Alana Holmes

October 22, 2007

While I never had the pleasure of meeting Kate's Dad, she talked about him with such joy, love and enthusiasm. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Rowles family now and in the days to come.

Sandy Neal

October 22, 2007

I am so sorry to hear the news of Mr. Rowles passing. Knowing Kate makes me think he must have been a wonderful person.

Helen Renner

October 20, 2007

Margaret, Many times you and Mike came over to the house to play cards with my parents. I will always remember you and mom telling the guys to get the crying towels ready because they were going to loose. We could always depend on the two of you to come right over on Saturday afternoons when I would call and say the bread was out of the oven. Five mintues later and you'd be at the house. I can now picture Mike and my dad, together again, trying to see who can tell the most outrageous stories and driving mom crazy. Mike will be missed by many. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Helen Renner and family

Ken Caseltine

October 19, 2007

Mike was a great guy. Mike had a good joke, a story, and laugh, and words of encougarement were always at the ready. Warmest sympathy to Mike's family. Ken Caseltine 3M

Mary Walston

October 19, 2007

I did not have the pleasure of meeting Michael, but know of him through his daughter Kate. I have also come to know a bit about Kate's wonderful mother and siblings. Having recently lost my father, I understand what a diffcult time this is for the immediate and extended family. My thoughts are with each of you.

Ed and Carol Devaney

October 19, 2007

To the Rowles Family:
We have known Mike for many years, mostly with a 3M connection. In addition he loved to play poker and we celebrated with them their 50th wedding anniversary. Our prayers go out to Margaret and the family in the loss of a wonderful gentle man. Mike's concern for his fellowman was a cornerstone of his personality and his sense of humor was evident to all he met. God's blessing on the family during this time of loss.

Mary Lou Inhofer

October 19, 2007

To the Rowles Family,
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I didn't know Mike, but I went all through 8 grades at St. Anne's with Kathleen. I also taught at least one of Larry and Donna's children at St. Anne's. My prayers and sympathy to the family. God be with you.

Bob Peterson 3M

October 19, 2007

So sorry to hear about the Great One leaving!

Ed & Carol Gelle

October 19, 2007

Margaret, so sorry to hear of your lost. What a shock to you and your family. We have fond memories of knowing Mike while at 3M.

YDOB Ed.

Loren and Sarah Freitag and family

October 19, 2007

To the Rowles family, we are sorry for your loss. Michael was a very delightful man. We are very bless to have shared many holiday dinners and wonderful conversations with him. We will miss him. To our wonderful sister-in-law Mary, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Guy Green (a.k.a. Our Sid)

October 19, 2007

Mr. Rowles was a man who exuded kindness and good humor, and invited your trust after only moments of knowing him. Simply knowing his son, Danny, is to understand what a splendid father he was. I know I am a better person for knowing Mike Rowles. His family is his testament. May The Father of us all be with you now.

Lee Kanten

October 19, 2007

I did not have the pleasure of knowing this man, but I do know his son, Dan, and the man he turned out to be is a great tribute to his father. May your family find the peace his soul now knows.

Sara

October 19, 2007

I feel grateful and blessed for being able to know your Dad. He was definately a man who was very quick with a smile and in a perpetual good mood. I enjoyed going to the house to help or to visit with your Mom and Dad. We always had good conversation, great laughs and an occasional beer. As I have been dealing with my own illness, Mike has always shown care and concern. He noticed the progress I'd make with every step and say, "You're doin' great kiddo!" I will miss his jokes, his stories and his laugh. But I will not miss his words of encouragement because every time I get up to walk I'll hear him say..."You're doin' great kiddo!"
Hugs and kisses to all of you.

Shannon & Chris Barber

October 19, 2007

He was the sweetest man I've ever met. He made you feel like family even if you are not. My deepest sympathy goes out to my brother-in-law Tom and to his entire family and especially to Mrs. Rowles. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time.

Jeff and Diana' Bezdicek and family

October 18, 2007

To our dearest friends the Rowles family,
We are so sorry for your loss, we have been honored to have known such a wonderful man for so many years. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

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