11/05/2024
Irvin Larry Rowley ascended to be with the Lord on November 5, 2024, in Pella, Iowa. A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Knoxville. A visitation will take place from 2:00-4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Larry’s family invites guests to a meal following the service at the church.
Larry was born on a farm north of Knoxville, Iowa on June 20, 1941, to Irvin Edward and Anna Alice (Van Cleave) Rowley. He graduated from Knoxville High School with the class of 1960 and attended Iowa State University until 1965. Larry’s dream of his youth came true, farming with his dad on their home farm, and later his brother, Myrle. In 1966, Larry met the love of his life, RoseAnn, and the two were married on December 27, 1966, in Colfax, Iowa. A great start to their marriage as the wedding occurred during a snowstorm, RoseAnn had a flat tire on the way to the wedding, and Larry overslept!
They moved a mobile home onto Larry’s parents’ farm north of Knoxville, which was purchased in 1948, and they have lived on the same farm ever since. In 1976 they designed and built their present home with the help of family and friends. They were blessed with three successful loving sons, Dale, Dave, and Dan. The boys kept the family busy with sports, along with milking and breeding sixty-five registered Holsteins and farming 450 acres for 34 years. During this time, they also participated in 4-H and showed their registered Holsteins in the county, district, and state fairs, as well as the Madison Wisconsin World Dairy Expo. For Larry, the ultimate goal of farming was not the growing of crops, but the cultivation of perfection of life and well-being of other humans.
As the boys went off to college, football replaced the cattle shows. They had lots of fun tailgating with their friends, Brent and Mary Hanna, while the boys were playing football at Iowa State University. They even attended the ISU football bowl game in Arizona the year the cows left the farm in 2000. When the boys and cows were gone, a new lifestyle developed. God opened their eyes; being active disciples of God going to church was now possible and especially important to them in their lives!
In addition to going to ISU games, Larry enjoyed living on the farm and all of God’s nature. He felt it was different every day. He loved hosting and going to family and friend gatherings. Larry was known for making friends everywhere he went. Larry was immensely proud of his family, especially his boys and grandkids. He always had wonderful and fun memories to share about each one of them.
Over the years, Larry served as a board member for the First United Methodist Church, F.U.N. Group, Marion County Farm Bureau, Iowa and National Farm Bureau Dairy Advisory Boards, Marion County and Iowa State Dairy Herd Improvement Association, as well as Marion County 4-H and Youth Committee. Larry was also an Iowa State Holstein Association President, 4-H leader, Fair Superintendent and State Dairy Judge. Larry was part of several foundations helping to start many events, such as the Marion County 4-H and Youth Foundation, Knoxville Panther Scholarship Program, Knoxville Alumni Association, Red Rock Dare to Care, and Marion County Farm Bureau’s “Ag in the City” events.
Throughout his life Larry received many awards: The Boys State, Order of the Knoll, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Farmer of the Year Award, Marion County Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year Award, Iowa Mid Am Young Couple of the Year Award, Iowa Distinguished Dairyman of the Year, and Iowa 4-H Couple Hall of Fame Award were some of the many honors Larry received over his lifetime.
Larry is survived by his sons: Dale (Beti Jo Aichner) Rowley, Dave (Natalie) Rowley, Daniel (Kate) Rowley; and his eight grandchildren, Gage, Anna, Cole, Rian, Madison, Corbin, Mackenzie, and Caden; and his brother, Gary (Suzie) Rowley.
He was preceded by his loving wife, RoseAnn; parents, Irvin Edward and Anna Alice Rowley, and Mable Rowley; in-laws, Dale and Kathryn Gearhart; brothers, Dean and Myrle Rowley; sisters: Darlene (John) Scott and Louise (Melvin) Dennison; and nieces, Cheryl and Kathi.