Mayflower Descendant of William White , wife Susanna Jackson and son Resolved White, whose cradle is on display at the Mayflower Museum in Plymouth, MA .
The paternal lineage: REV. RALPH¹⁰ EDWARD ROWE (Charles⁹ , Percy⁸, Franklin⁷, Lucien⁶, Ebenezer⁵, Dan⁴, John³, Peter², Hugh¹, Jr. ) Originally from England
Maternal lineage: REV. RALPH⁵ EDWARD ROWE : ( Grace⁴Nicholas, Cora³Virilla Brainard, Catherine² Violet Nicol, Margaret¹ Pollock) originally from Scotland.
RALPH EDWARD ROWE (87) was born the first of three children (Ralph Edward, Dorotha Winifred, Charles Percy) born to Charles Henry Rowe and Grace Edna Nicholas.
His paternal grandparents were Percy Augustus Rowe and Florence May Knowles who farmed near Lake Park, Dickenson County, Iowa . His maternal grandparents were Cora Virilla Brainard and Benjamin Daniel Nicholas (Welsh, who was a Blacksmith in Lake Park and later a Farm Implement dealer and farmer in David, Mitchell County, Iowa ).
Ralph began school in Lake Park, Iowa riding his Shetland pony to first grade. Little did he know that he would use his riding skills later in life when he had to ride a horse during a blizzard to his circuit churches in Crystal Springs , Cleveland and Woodworth, North Dakota.
Due to his mother's ill health (ulcers), he was sent off to his Uncle Harry Nicholas who lived in Libertyville, IL to attend school . He lived in various cities and towns including Kirksville, MO, Marvin, SD, and Libertyville, IL. He graduated from high school in 1931 Lake Park, Iowa... the same town where he started school first grade. It was during his senior year (1931) in Lake Park, Iowa that he stayed with his maternal Aunt Anne Nicholas that he decided switch his future of being an Electrical Engineer to a Minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was his aunt's example of selfless service in her Presbyterian church that convinced him to change his mind. "Rev. Ralph Rowe was the only son of our congregation to go into full time gospel ministry. His father was Charles Henry Rowe, who was a brother to Leslie Rowe." Quote from the history of the Lake Park Presbyterian Church.
The Great Depression was just beginning when he graduated from High School. Ralph knew he would be going to college, but first he was needed by his Uncle Merton Rowe in Kirksville, MO.
After high school, at age 18, he drove his Uncle Merton Rowe's family from Kirksville, Missouri to Albuquerque, NM during the Great Depression. Merton was already in Albuquerque, but someone was needed to drive his wife, Opal, and their 5 children (Glenn, Hadley, Marna, Clarence and Arlene) to Albuquerque. He took on this 950 mile trip with little money or food and Ralph had to bargain Opal's can goods for gasoline more than once along the journey.
After that adventure Ralph began college (Anderson University, in Anderson, Marion County, Indiana) where he worked his way through college as a dorm custodian. There he met his future bride at a gathering at the minister's home where Esther, who had just arrived in town and had enrolled in the same college and worked as a nanny and housekeeper to get through college.
On June 19, 1936 in Anderson, Indiana he married ESTHER MAY CHILDS , daughter of Guy Truman Childs and May Barbara Steiber of Grand Rapids, MN. It was Esther's home church that a quartet came to sing and tell about Anderson University in Indiana. So after high school in Minnesota, Esther taught herself to play piano, then gave music lesson to earn a bus ticket to Anderson, Indiana to attend college. Having no money for college, she went to the employment office and at that very time a job opened up for her to stay at the minister's ( Rev. Gritzmacker) house and also attend college. Truly a miracle as there had been no jobs posted for quite some time. Both had enough money to make it through 2 years of college, but future education would have to wait as Ralph had to support a wife.
Ralph began his first pastorate in Bremem, Indiana at the Church of God where Grace Esther Rowe, the first of 5 children, was born (1939). Next the family moved to Goodrich, ND where he did church planting and was the first English speaking pastor to a German speaking congregation. During that time 2 more children, Evelyn May and Florence Marcile, were born. From there they moved to Grand Forks, ND (1943-1946) where David Brainard was born. From there they moved to Camrose, Alberta, Canada where Ralph taught at the Alberta Bible Institute (a college that sent pioneer missionaries all over the world + into western Canada). The last child, Jim Charles Rowe was born in Camrose, Alberta. Each child was 2 years apart in age.
Ralph then switched denominations from Church of God (Anderson, Indiana headquarters) to Methodist and moved back to the U.S. to the town of Cleveland, ND where he had 3 circuit churches and resumed his education attending Jamestown University 21 miles away. He was then ordained a Methodist & Presbyterian minister and served both denominations. Two of his daughters, Grace and Evelyn would eventually graduate from the same University: Grace in RN, BS degree in Nursing and Evelyn BA major Christian Education minor, psychology.
His next pastorate was St. Thomas, ND followed by Milnor, Sargent County, ND... then on to Mohall, Renville County, ND where daughter Grace was married in the Methodist Church and Evelyn and Florence met their future husbands. Next the family moved to Fargo, ND where sisters, Florence and Evelyn were married at the First Methodist Church in Fargo, ND Then to Enderlin, ND where Jim and David graduated from H.S. After his sons' graduation and his daughter (Evelyn) and son in law, Don Nelson, moved to Lawrence, Kansas, Ralph was done with harsh ND winters and they move to Missouri
Ralph went on to earn two Masters Degrees in Theology. He graduated from Wesley College in Grand Forks, ND and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO with graduate work at Garret Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA. respectively during the summer time.
Ralph was a kind, generous almost to a fault, soft spoken, gentle man yet an influential person in his community and in the state. He believed in helping others wherever the family lived.
Ralph and Esther moved to Missouri and pastored churches in Elmo, Auxvasse, Huntsville, Richland and Drexel, MO. He decided to retire in Richland, MO where he began a prison ministry, regularly visiting prisoners at the Pulaski County Jail; delivered meals on wheels; started a shelter for battered women; was a member of the Silver Hair State Legislature in Jefferson City, MO, raised goats for the Missions Heifer Project and was instrumental in getting HUD housing for low income people built in Richland, MO. He was an avid reader, and had an extensive library. He was faithful in writing to his children, playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time at his many churches, tinkering around his shop fixing things, writing poetry, and taking long walks with his beloved wife, Esther. He possessed a great memory of dates and events which served him well in passing along stories of his ancestors. Above all he desired that all of his children know God and the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way.
An active Christian, he believed in living out his faith by helping others in need. His motto was "Live simply so others can simply live." At retirement, Ralph lived with Esther, his beloved wife in their home overlooking the Gasconade River Valley and loved taking walks until he had a series of strokes beginning when he was 80 yrs old, that left him eventually unable to speak for about 9 years. The last big wedding anniversary he celebrated was his 60th in 1996 with all of his children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren present. He performed weddings for all of his five children and two of his grandchildren. Grace's son, Wade (Michelle)Sharbono (1989) and Evelyn's dau. Gail (Adam) Alfar (1990).
Six months after Esther died, he died peacefully at his son, Jim Rowe's, home in Richland, MO surrounded by three of his children, Florence, David and Jim. His dau. Evelyn had visited him just 1 week prior to his death. Grace the eldest was in Devils Lake, ND at the time. All attended his funeral, where Evelyn spoke about his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, who died about six months earlier.
Children of Ralph Edward Rowe and Esther M. Childs:
1. Grace¹¹ Esther Rowe m. Howard "Wes" Sharbono 3 children: Wade Eric + Michelle Carlson, Dean Mark + JoAnn and Beth Ann +Travis Zahn)
Gt. Grandchildren: Coltin & Cameron Sharbono, Brandon Shane, Cody, and Zander Zahn
2. Evelyn¹¹ M. Rowe m. Donald Arthur Nelson (2 children: Gail Evelyn (Adam) Alfar, and James Ernest (Nancy) Nelson) 5 Grandchildren: Grace Noor Alfar , Mary Alfar , Sarah Alfar, Joseph Alfar and Abraham Alfar.
3. Florence¹¹ Marcile Rowe (76 yrs) (1943-2019) m. Allen Theodore Jarchow ( 1939–2004) (2 children: Steven Allen Jarchow +Kristen Powell and Kenneth Lynn Jarchow + (birth mom, Kelli Sebo (div) m. Terri Rusher . Grandchildren: Ashlee Dawn Jarchow, Kristofer Scott Allen Jarchow; Mark Alan Jarchow and Brandi Nichole Jarchow. Florence carried on her father's legacy of putting her faith into practice in Richland, MO and blessing all those who came in contact with her.
4. David¹¹ Brainard Rowe m. Nina D. Dougherty (div)(3 children, Mark Ralph, Kathleen Evelyn (Rowe)Cope, Robert James Rowe) m. 2nd Alta Sue Yazel. Grandchildren from Kathleen: Andrew Cope Jr. , Virginia Evi Cope, Penelope "Nelly" Cope, Noah Cope. Grandchildren from Robert: Francis James Hawthorne Rowe and Barrett Ryan Everest Rowe
5. James¹¹ Charles Rowe m. Sharon Estep (div) m. Mary Jean Lownsberry (1 child, Theodore William Charles Rowe m. Emily Grace Blanton son Teddy who was one of the pallbearers at Ralph E. Rowe's funeral.
The paternal lineage: REV. RALPH¹⁰ EDWARD ROWE (Charles⁹ , Percy⁸, Franklin⁷, Lucien⁶, Ebenezer⁵, Dan⁴, John³, Peter², Hugh¹, Jr. ) Originally from England
Maternal lineage: REV. RALPH⁵ EDWARD ROWE : ( Grace⁴Nicholas, Cora³Virilla Brainard, Catherine² Violet Nicol, Margaret¹ Pollock) originally from Scotland.
RALPH EDWARD ROWE (87) was born the first of three children (Ralph Edward, Dorotha Winifred, Charles Percy) born to Charles Henry Rowe and Grace Edna Nicholas.
His paternal grandparents were Percy Augustus Rowe and Florence May Knowles who farmed near Lake Park, Dickenson County, Iowa . His maternal grandparents were Cora Virilla Brainard and Benjamin Daniel Nicholas (Welsh, who was a Blacksmith in Lake Park and later a Farm Implement dealer and farmer in David, Mitchell County, Iowa ).
Ralph began school in Lake Park, Iowa riding his Shetland pony to first grade. Little did he know that he would use his riding skills later in life when he had to ride a horse during a blizzard to his circuit churches in Crystal Springs , Cleveland and Woodworth, North Dakota.
Due to his mother's ill health (ulcers), he was sent off to his Uncle Harry Nicholas who lived in Libertyville, IL to attend school . He lived in various cities and towns including Kirksville, MO, Marvin, SD, and Libertyville, IL. He graduated from high school in 1931 Lake Park, Iowa... the same town where he started school first grade. It was during his senior year (1931) in Lake Park, Iowa that he stayed with his maternal Aunt Anne Nicholas that he decided switch his future of being an Electrical Engineer to a Minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was his aunt's example of selfless service in her Presbyterian church that convinced him to change his mind. "Rev. Ralph Rowe was the only son of our congregation to go into full time gospel ministry. His father was Charles Henry Rowe, who was a brother to Leslie Rowe." Quote from the history of the Lake Park Presbyterian Church.
The Great Depression was just beginning when he graduated from High School. Ralph knew he would be going to college, but first he was needed by his Uncle Merton Rowe in Kirksville, MO.
After high school, at age 18, he drove his Uncle Merton Rowe's family from Kirksville, Missouri to Albuquerque, NM during the Great Depression. Merton was already in Albuquerque, but someone was needed to drive his wife, Opal, and their 5 children (Glenn, Hadley, Marna, Clarence and Arlene) to Albuquerque. He took on this 950 mile trip with little money or food and Ralph had to bargain Opal's can goods for gasoline more than once along the journey.
After that adventure Ralph began college (Anderson University, in Anderson, Marion County, Indiana) where he worked his way through college as a dorm custodian. There he met his future bride at a gathering at the minister's home where Esther, who had just arrived in town and had enrolled in the same college and worked as a nanny and housekeeper to get through college.
On June 19, 1936 in Anderson, Indiana he married ESTHER MAY CHILDS , daughter of Guy Truman Childs and May Barbara Steiber of Grand Rapids, MN. It was Esther's home church that a quartet came to sing and tell about Anderson University in Indiana. So after high school in Minnesota, Esther taught herself to play piano, then gave music lesson to earn a bus ticket to Anderson, Indiana to attend college. Having no money for college, she went to the employment office and at that very time a job opened up for her to stay at the minister's ( Rev. Gritzmacker) house and also attend college. Truly a miracle as there had been no jobs posted for quite some time. Both had enough money to make it through 2 years of college, but future education would have to wait as Ralph had to support a wife.
Ralph began his first pastorate in Bremem, Indiana at the Church of God where Grace Esther Rowe, the first of 5 children, was born (1939). Next the family moved to Goodrich, ND where he did church planting and was the first English speaking pastor to a German speaking congregation. During that time 2 more children, Evelyn May and Florence Marcile, were born. From there they moved to Grand Forks, ND (1943-1946) where David Brainard was born. From there they moved to Camrose, Alberta, Canada where Ralph taught at the Alberta Bible Institute (a college that sent pioneer missionaries all over the world + into western Canada). The last child, Jim Charles Rowe was born in Camrose, Alberta. Each child was 2 years apart in age.
Ralph then switched denominations from Church of God (Anderson, Indiana headquarters) to Methodist and moved back to the U.S. to the town of Cleveland, ND where he had 3 circuit churches and resumed his education attending Jamestown University 21 miles away. He was then ordained a Methodist & Presbyterian minister and served both denominations. Two of his daughters, Grace and Evelyn would eventually graduate from the same University: Grace in RN, BS degree in Nursing and Evelyn BA major Christian Education minor, psychology.
His next pastorate was St. Thomas, ND followed by Milnor, Sargent County, ND... then on to Mohall, Renville County, ND where daughter Grace was married in the Methodist Church and Evelyn and Florence met their future husbands. Next the family moved to Fargo, ND where sisters, Florence and Evelyn were married at the First Methodist Church in Fargo, ND Then to Enderlin, ND where Jim and David graduated from H.S. After his sons' graduation and his daughter (Evelyn) and son in law, Don Nelson, moved to Lawrence, Kansas, Ralph was done with harsh ND winters and they move to Missouri
Ralph went on to earn two Masters Degrees in Theology. He graduated from Wesley College in Grand Forks, ND and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO with graduate work at Garret Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA. respectively during the summer time.
Ralph was a kind, generous almost to a fault, soft spoken, gentle man yet an influential person in his community and in the state. He believed in helping others wherever the family lived.
Ralph and Esther moved to Missouri and pastored churches in Elmo, Auxvasse, Huntsville, Richland and Drexel, MO. He decided to retire in Richland, MO where he began a prison ministry, regularly visiting prisoners at the Pulaski County Jail; delivered meals on wheels; started a shelter for battered women; was a member of the Silver Hair State Legislature in Jefferson City, MO, raised goats for the Missions Heifer Project and was instrumental in getting HUD housing for low income people built in Richland, MO. He was an avid reader, and had an extensive library. He was faithful in writing to his children, playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time at his many churches, tinkering around his shop fixing things, writing poetry, and taking long walks with his beloved wife, Esther. He possessed a great memory of dates and events which served him well in passing along stories of his ancestors. Above all he desired that all of his children know God and the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way.
An active Christian, he believed in living out his faith by helping others in need. His motto was "Live simply so others can simply live." At retirement, Ralph lived with Esther, his beloved wife in their home overlooking the Gasconade River Valley and loved taking walks until he had a series of strokes beginning when he was 80 yrs old, that left him eventually unable to speak for about 9 years. The last big wedding anniversary he celebrated was his 60th in 1996 with all of his children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren present. He performed weddings for all of his five children and two of his grandchildren. Grace's son, Wade (Michelle)Sharbono (1989) and Evelyn's dau. Gail (Adam) Alfar (1990).
Six months after Esther died, he died peacefully at his son, Jim Rowe's, home in Richland, MO surrounded by three of his children, Florence, David and Jim. His dau. Evelyn had visited him just 1 week prior to his death. Grace the eldest was in Devils Lake, ND at the time. All attended his funeral, where Evelyn spoke about his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, who died about six months earlier.
Children of Ralph Edward Rowe and Esther M. Childs:
1. Grace¹¹ Esther Rowe m. Howard "Wes" Sharbono 3 children: Wade Eric + Michelle Carlson, Dean Mark + JoAnn and Beth Ann +Travis Zahn)
Gt. Grandchildren: Coltin & Cameron Sharbono, Brandon Shane, Cody, and Zander Zahn
2. Evelyn¹¹ M. Rowe m. Donald Arthur Nelson (2 children: Gail Evelyn (Adam) Alfar, and James Ernest (Nancy) Nelson) 5 Grandchildren: Grace Noor Alfar , Mary Alfar , Sarah Alfar, Joseph Alfar and Abraham Alfar.
3. Florence¹¹ Marcile Rowe (76 yrs) (1943-2019) m. Allen Theodore Jarchow ( 1939–2004) (2 children: Steven Allen Jarchow +Kristen Powell and Kenneth Lynn Jarchow + (birth mom, Kelli Sebo (div) m. Terri Rusher . Grandchildren: Ashlee Dawn Jarchow, Kristofer Scott Allen Jarchow; Mark Alan Jarchow and Brandi Nichole Jarchow. Florence carried on her father's legacy of putting her faith into practice in Richland, MO and blessing all those who came in contact with her.
4. David¹¹ Brainard Rowe m. Nina D. Dougherty (div)(3 children, Mark Ralph, Kathleen Evelyn (Rowe)Cope, Robert James Rowe) m. 2nd Alta Sue Yazel. Grandchildren from Kathleen: Andrew Cope Jr. , Virginia Evi Cope, Penelope "Nelly" Cope, Noah Cope. Grandchildren from Robert: Francis James Hawthorne Rowe and Barrett Ryan Everest Rowe
5. James¹¹ Charles Rowe m. Sharon Estep (div) m. Mary Jean Lownsberry (1 child, Theodore William Charles Rowe m. Emily Grace Blanton son Teddy who was one of the pallbearers at Ralph E. Rowe's funeral.
Mayflower Descendant of William White , wife Susanna Jackson and son Resolved White, whose cradle is on display at the Mayflower Museum in Plymouth, MA .
The paternal lineage: REV. RALPH¹⁰ EDWARD ROWE (Charles⁹ , Percy⁸, Franklin⁷, Lucien⁶, Ebenezer⁵, Dan⁴, John³, Peter², Hugh¹, Jr. ) Originally from England
Maternal lineage: REV. RALPH⁵ EDWARD ROWE : ( Grace⁴Nicholas, Cora³Virilla Brainard, Catherine² Violet Nicol, Margaret¹ Pollock) originally from Scotland.
RALPH EDWARD ROWE (87) was born the first of three children (Ralph Edward, Dorotha Winifred, Charles Percy) born to Charles Henry Rowe and Grace Edna Nicholas.
His paternal grandparents were Percy Augustus Rowe and Florence May Knowles who farmed near Lake Park, Dickenson County, Iowa . His maternal grandparents were Cora Virilla Brainard and Benjamin Daniel Nicholas (Welsh, who was a Blacksmith in Lake Park and later a Farm Implement dealer and farmer in David, Mitchell County, Iowa ).
Ralph began school in Lake Park, Iowa riding his Shetland pony to first grade. Little did he know that he would use his riding skills later in life when he had to ride a horse during a blizzard to his circuit churches in Crystal Springs , Cleveland and Woodworth, North Dakota.
Due to his mother's ill health (ulcers), he was sent off to his Uncle Harry Nicholas who lived in Libertyville, IL to attend school . He lived in various cities and towns including Kirksville, MO, Marvin, SD, and Libertyville, IL. He graduated from high school in 1931 Lake Park, Iowa... the same town where he started school first grade. It was during his senior year (1931) in Lake Park, Iowa that he stayed with his maternal Aunt Anne Nicholas that he decided switch his future of being an Electrical Engineer to a Minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was his aunt's example of selfless service in her Presbyterian church that convinced him to change his mind. "Rev. Ralph Rowe was the only son of our congregation to go into full time gospel ministry. His father was Charles Henry Rowe, who was a brother to Leslie Rowe." Quote from the history of the Lake Park Presbyterian Church.
The Great Depression was just beginning when he graduated from High School. Ralph knew he would be going to college, but first he was needed by his Uncle Merton Rowe in Kirksville, MO.
After high school, at age 18, he drove his Uncle Merton Rowe's family from Kirksville, Missouri to Albuquerque, NM during the Great Depression. Merton was already in Albuquerque, but someone was needed to drive his wife, Opal, and their 5 children (Glenn, Hadley, Marna, Clarence and Arlene) to Albuquerque. He took on this 950 mile trip with little money or food and Ralph had to bargain Opal's can goods for gasoline more than once along the journey.
After that adventure Ralph began college (Anderson University, in Anderson, Marion County, Indiana) where he worked his way through college as a dorm custodian. There he met his future bride at a gathering at the minister's home where Esther, who had just arrived in town and had enrolled in the same college and worked as a nanny and housekeeper to get through college.
On June 19, 1936 in Anderson, Indiana he married ESTHER MAY CHILDS , daughter of Guy Truman Childs and May Barbara Steiber of Grand Rapids, MN. It was Esther's home church that a quartet came to sing and tell about Anderson University in Indiana. So after high school in Minnesota, Esther taught herself to play piano, then gave music lesson to earn a bus ticket to Anderson, Indiana to attend college. Having no money for college, she went to the employment office and at that very time a job opened up for her to stay at the minister's ( Rev. Gritzmacker) house and also attend college. Truly a miracle as there had been no jobs posted for quite some time. Both had enough money to make it through 2 years of college, but future education would have to wait as Ralph had to support a wife.
Ralph began his first pastorate in Bremem, Indiana at the Church of God where Grace Esther Rowe, the first of 5 children, was born (1939). Next the family moved to Goodrich, ND where he did church planting and was the first English speaking pastor to a German speaking congregation. During that time 2 more children, Evelyn May and Florence Marcile, were born. From there they moved to Grand Forks, ND (1943-1946) where David Brainard was born. From there they moved to Camrose, Alberta, Canada where Ralph taught at the Alberta Bible Institute (a college that sent pioneer missionaries all over the world + into western Canada). The last child, Jim Charles Rowe was born in Camrose, Alberta. Each child was 2 years apart in age.
Ralph then switched denominations from Church of God (Anderson, Indiana headquarters) to Methodist and moved back to the U.S. to the town of Cleveland, ND where he had 3 circuit churches and resumed his education attending Jamestown University 21 miles away. He was then ordained a Methodist & Presbyterian minister and served both denominations. Two of his daughters, Grace and Evelyn would eventually graduate from the same University: Grace in RN, BS degree in Nursing and Evelyn BA major Christian Education minor, psychology.
His next pastorate was St. Thomas, ND followed by Milnor, Sargent County, ND... then on to Mohall, Renville County, ND where daughter Grace was married in the Methodist Church and Evelyn and Florence met their future husbands. Next the family moved to Fargo, ND where sisters, Florence and Evelyn were married at the First Methodist Church in Fargo, ND Then to Enderlin, ND where Jim and David graduated from H.S. After his sons' graduation and his daughter (Evelyn) and son in law, Don Nelson, moved to Lawrence, Kansas, Ralph was done with harsh ND winters and they move to Missouri
Ralph went on to earn two Masters Degrees in Theology. He graduated from Wesley College in Grand Forks, ND and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO with graduate work at Garret Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA. respectively during the summer time.
Ralph was a kind, generous almost to a fault, soft spoken, gentle man yet an influential person in his community and in the state. He believed in helping others wherever the family lived.
Ralph and Esther moved to Missouri and pastored churches in Elmo, Auxvasse, Huntsville, Richland and Drexel, MO. He decided to retire in Richland, MO where he began a prison ministry, regularly visiting prisoners at the Pulaski County Jail; delivered meals on wheels; started a shelter for battered women; was a member of the Silver Hair State Legislature in Jefferson City, MO, raised goats for the Missions Heifer Project and was instrumental in getting HUD housing for low income people built in Richland, MO. He was an avid reader, and had an extensive library. He was faithful in writing to his children, playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time at his many churches, tinkering around his shop fixing things, writing poetry, and taking long walks with his beloved wife, Esther. He possessed a great memory of dates and events which served him well in passing along stories of his ancestors. Above all he desired that all of his children know God and the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way.
An active Christian, he believed in living out his faith by helping others in need. His motto was "Live simply so others can simply live." At retirement, Ralph lived with Esther, his beloved wife in their home overlooking the Gasconade River Valley and loved taking walks until he had a series of strokes beginning when he was 80 yrs old, that left him eventually unable to speak for about 9 years. The last big wedding anniversary he celebrated was his 60th in 1996 with all of his children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren present. He performed weddings for all of his five children and two of his grandchildren. Grace's son, Wade (Michelle)Sharbono (1989) and Evelyn's dau. Gail (Adam) Alfar (1990).
Six months after Esther died, he died peacefully at his son, Jim Rowe's, home in Richland, MO surrounded by three of his children, Florence, David and Jim. His dau. Evelyn had visited him just 1 week prior to his death. Grace the eldest was in Devils Lake, ND at the time. All attended his funeral, where Evelyn spoke about his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, who died about six months earlier.
Children of Ralph Edward Rowe and Esther M. Childs:
1. Grace¹¹ Esther Rowe m. Howard "Wes" Sharbono 3 children: Wade Eric + Michelle Carlson, Dean Mark + JoAnn and Beth Ann +Travis Zahn)
Gt. Grandchildren: Coltin & Cameron Sharbono, Brandon Shane, Cody, and Zander Zahn
2. Evelyn¹¹ M. Rowe m. Donald Arthur Nelson (2 children: Gail Evelyn (Adam) Alfar, and James Ernest (Nancy) Nelson) 5 Grandchildren: Grace Noor Alfar , Mary Alfar , Sarah Alfar, Joseph Alfar and Abraham Alfar.
3. Florence¹¹ Marcile Rowe (76 yrs) (1943-2019) m. Allen Theodore Jarchow ( 1939–2004) (2 children: Steven Allen Jarchow +Kristen Powell and Kenneth Lynn Jarchow + (birth mom, Kelli Sebo (div) m. Terri Rusher . Grandchildren: Ashlee Dawn Jarchow, Kristofer Scott Allen Jarchow; Mark Alan Jarchow and Brandi Nichole Jarchow. Florence carried on her father's legacy of putting her faith into practice in Richland, MO and blessing all those who came in contact with her.
4. David¹¹ Brainard Rowe m. Nina D. Dougherty (div)(3 children, Mark Ralph, Kathleen Evelyn (Rowe)Cope, Robert James Rowe) m. 2nd Alta Sue Yazel. Grandchildren from Kathleen: Andrew Cope Jr. , Virginia Evi Cope, Penelope "Nelly" Cope, Noah Cope. Grandchildren from Robert: Francis James Hawthorne Rowe and Barrett Ryan Everest Rowe
5. James¹¹ Charles Rowe m. Sharon Estep (div) m. Mary Jean Lownsberry (1 child, Theodore William Charles Rowe m. Emily Grace Blanton son Teddy who was one of the pallbearers at Ralph E. Rowe's funeral.
The paternal lineage: REV. RALPH¹⁰ EDWARD ROWE (Charles⁹ , Percy⁸, Franklin⁷, Lucien⁶, Ebenezer⁵, Dan⁴, John³, Peter², Hugh¹, Jr. ) Originally from England
Maternal lineage: REV. RALPH⁵ EDWARD ROWE : ( Grace⁴Nicholas, Cora³Virilla Brainard, Catherine² Violet Nicol, Margaret¹ Pollock) originally from Scotland.
RALPH EDWARD ROWE (87) was born the first of three children (Ralph Edward, Dorotha Winifred, Charles Percy) born to Charles Henry Rowe and Grace Edna Nicholas.
His paternal grandparents were Percy Augustus Rowe and Florence May Knowles who farmed near Lake Park, Dickenson County, Iowa . His maternal grandparents were Cora Virilla Brainard and Benjamin Daniel Nicholas (Welsh, who was a Blacksmith in Lake Park and later a Farm Implement dealer and farmer in David, Mitchell County, Iowa ).
Ralph began school in Lake Park, Iowa riding his Shetland pony to first grade. Little did he know that he would use his riding skills later in life when he had to ride a horse during a blizzard to his circuit churches in Crystal Springs , Cleveland and Woodworth, North Dakota.
Due to his mother's ill health (ulcers), he was sent off to his Uncle Harry Nicholas who lived in Libertyville, IL to attend school . He lived in various cities and towns including Kirksville, MO, Marvin, SD, and Libertyville, IL. He graduated from high school in 1931 Lake Park, Iowa... the same town where he started school first grade. It was during his senior year (1931) in Lake Park, Iowa that he stayed with his maternal Aunt Anne Nicholas that he decided switch his future of being an Electrical Engineer to a Minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was his aunt's example of selfless service in her Presbyterian church that convinced him to change his mind. "Rev. Ralph Rowe was the only son of our congregation to go into full time gospel ministry. His father was Charles Henry Rowe, who was a brother to Leslie Rowe." Quote from the history of the Lake Park Presbyterian Church.
The Great Depression was just beginning when he graduated from High School. Ralph knew he would be going to college, but first he was needed by his Uncle Merton Rowe in Kirksville, MO.
After high school, at age 18, he drove his Uncle Merton Rowe's family from Kirksville, Missouri to Albuquerque, NM during the Great Depression. Merton was already in Albuquerque, but someone was needed to drive his wife, Opal, and their 5 children (Glenn, Hadley, Marna, Clarence and Arlene) to Albuquerque. He took on this 950 mile trip with little money or food and Ralph had to bargain Opal's can goods for gasoline more than once along the journey.
After that adventure Ralph began college (Anderson University, in Anderson, Marion County, Indiana) where he worked his way through college as a dorm custodian. There he met his future bride at a gathering at the minister's home where Esther, who had just arrived in town and had enrolled in the same college and worked as a nanny and housekeeper to get through college.
On June 19, 1936 in Anderson, Indiana he married ESTHER MAY CHILDS , daughter of Guy Truman Childs and May Barbara Steiber of Grand Rapids, MN. It was Esther's home church that a quartet came to sing and tell about Anderson University in Indiana. So after high school in Minnesota, Esther taught herself to play piano, then gave music lesson to earn a bus ticket to Anderson, Indiana to attend college. Having no money for college, she went to the employment office and at that very time a job opened up for her to stay at the minister's ( Rev. Gritzmacker) house and also attend college. Truly a miracle as there had been no jobs posted for quite some time. Both had enough money to make it through 2 years of college, but future education would have to wait as Ralph had to support a wife.
Ralph began his first pastorate in Bremem, Indiana at the Church of God where Grace Esther Rowe, the first of 5 children, was born (1939). Next the family moved to Goodrich, ND where he did church planting and was the first English speaking pastor to a German speaking congregation. During that time 2 more children, Evelyn May and Florence Marcile, were born. From there they moved to Grand Forks, ND (1943-1946) where David Brainard was born. From there they moved to Camrose, Alberta, Canada where Ralph taught at the Alberta Bible Institute (a college that sent pioneer missionaries all over the world + into western Canada). The last child, Jim Charles Rowe was born in Camrose, Alberta. Each child was 2 years apart in age.
Ralph then switched denominations from Church of God (Anderson, Indiana headquarters) to Methodist and moved back to the U.S. to the town of Cleveland, ND where he had 3 circuit churches and resumed his education attending Jamestown University 21 miles away. He was then ordained a Methodist & Presbyterian minister and served both denominations. Two of his daughters, Grace and Evelyn would eventually graduate from the same University: Grace in RN, BS degree in Nursing and Evelyn BA major Christian Education minor, psychology.
His next pastorate was St. Thomas, ND followed by Milnor, Sargent County, ND... then on to Mohall, Renville County, ND where daughter Grace was married in the Methodist Church and Evelyn and Florence met their future husbands. Next the family moved to Fargo, ND where sisters, Florence and Evelyn were married at the First Methodist Church in Fargo, ND Then to Enderlin, ND where Jim and David graduated from H.S. After his sons' graduation and his daughter (Evelyn) and son in law, Don Nelson, moved to Lawrence, Kansas, Ralph was done with harsh ND winters and they move to Missouri
Ralph went on to earn two Masters Degrees in Theology. He graduated from Wesley College in Grand Forks, ND and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO with graduate work at Garret Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA. respectively during the summer time.
Ralph was a kind, generous almost to a fault, soft spoken, gentle man yet an influential person in his community and in the state. He believed in helping others wherever the family lived.
Ralph and Esther moved to Missouri and pastored churches in Elmo, Auxvasse, Huntsville, Richland and Drexel, MO. He decided to retire in Richland, MO where he began a prison ministry, regularly visiting prisoners at the Pulaski County Jail; delivered meals on wheels; started a shelter for battered women; was a member of the Silver Hair State Legislature in Jefferson City, MO, raised goats for the Missions Heifer Project and was instrumental in getting HUD housing for low income people built in Richland, MO. He was an avid reader, and had an extensive library. He was faithful in writing to his children, playing the guitar and harmonica at the same time at his many churches, tinkering around his shop fixing things, writing poetry, and taking long walks with his beloved wife, Esther. He possessed a great memory of dates and events which served him well in passing along stories of his ancestors. Above all he desired that all of his children know God and the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way.
An active Christian, he believed in living out his faith by helping others in need. His motto was "Live simply so others can simply live." At retirement, Ralph lived with Esther, his beloved wife in their home overlooking the Gasconade River Valley and loved taking walks until he had a series of strokes beginning when he was 80 yrs old, that left him eventually unable to speak for about 9 years. The last big wedding anniversary he celebrated was his 60th in 1996 with all of his children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren present. He performed weddings for all of his five children and two of his grandchildren. Grace's son, Wade (Michelle)Sharbono (1989) and Evelyn's dau. Gail (Adam) Alfar (1990).
Six months after Esther died, he died peacefully at his son, Jim Rowe's, home in Richland, MO surrounded by three of his children, Florence, David and Jim. His dau. Evelyn had visited him just 1 week prior to his death. Grace the eldest was in Devils Lake, ND at the time. All attended his funeral, where Evelyn spoke about his life.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, who died about six months earlier.
Children of Ralph Edward Rowe and Esther M. Childs:
1. Grace¹¹ Esther Rowe m. Howard "Wes" Sharbono 3 children: Wade Eric + Michelle Carlson, Dean Mark + JoAnn and Beth Ann +Travis Zahn)
Gt. Grandchildren: Coltin & Cameron Sharbono, Brandon Shane, Cody, and Zander Zahn
2. Evelyn¹¹ M. Rowe m. Donald Arthur Nelson (2 children: Gail Evelyn (Adam) Alfar, and James Ernest (Nancy) Nelson) 5 Grandchildren: Grace Noor Alfar , Mary Alfar , Sarah Alfar, Joseph Alfar and Abraham Alfar.
3. Florence¹¹ Marcile Rowe (76 yrs) (1943-2019) m. Allen Theodore Jarchow ( 1939–2004) (2 children: Steven Allen Jarchow +Kristen Powell and Kenneth Lynn Jarchow + (birth mom, Kelli Sebo (div) m. Terri Rusher . Grandchildren: Ashlee Dawn Jarchow, Kristofer Scott Allen Jarchow; Mark Alan Jarchow and Brandi Nichole Jarchow. Florence carried on her father's legacy of putting her faith into practice in Richland, MO and blessing all those who came in contact with her.
4. David¹¹ Brainard Rowe m. Nina D. Dougherty (div)(3 children, Mark Ralph, Kathleen Evelyn (Rowe)Cope, Robert James Rowe) m. 2nd Alta Sue Yazel. Grandchildren from Kathleen: Andrew Cope Jr. , Virginia Evi Cope, Penelope "Nelly" Cope, Noah Cope. Grandchildren from Robert: Francis James Hawthorne Rowe and Barrett Ryan Everest Rowe
5. James¹¹ Charles Rowe m. Sharon Estep (div) m. Mary Jean Lownsberry (1 child, Theodore William Charles Rowe m. Emily Grace Blanton son Teddy who was one of the pallbearers at Ralph E. Rowe's funeral.
Inscription
Rev. Ralph E. Rowe Nov. 8, 1913 to Mar. 9, 2001
Esther M. Childs Mar. 22, 1911 to July 30, 2000
Married June 20, 1937
Gravesite Details
Ralph's gravestone is made from a pinkish granite from Milbank, SD close to where he grew up. The gravestone is in excellent condition.
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