Wilma Ruth Rowe Wilma Ruth Rowe was born November 6, 1936 in Carson Iowa, the eldest of three girls in her family. Through her growing years, the family moved about between Iowa, California and finally Colorado where she graduated high school from Longmont High School. While living in Longmont, she met her soon-to-be husband, Ralph P. Rowe while he was home on leave from his Naval service during the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge, Ralph returned home and asked for her hand in marriage and they were married August 26, 1955 by Ralph’s father, Ralph N. Rowe who was the senior Pastor of Longmont First Baptist Church. It was during their courtship that Ralph bequeathed the nickname ‘Connie’ to her and that was how she was known for the remainder of her life.

 Upon Ralph’s graduation from University of Colorado, he and Connie moved to Covina California for Ralph to pursue his Masters of Divinity and then serve as Pastor in American Baptist Churches. Connie served not only as his life partner, but also as his life partner in ministry. Together they served various California churches and started Preschool programs until Ralph’s formal retirement in 1996 after serving in San Dimas, Santa Maria, Rio Vista, Clovis and Sunnyvale. Whilst in Rio Vista, Connie was able to earn an Associates degree from Delta College in Stockton and continuing on for her Master’s degree at Mennonite Brethren Seminary during her time in Clovis. Connie enjoyed offering ministry workshops and retreats to church members and friends along with speaking at various retreats at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center and Sugar Pine Conference Center. Her ministry outreach included serving on various boards for the American Baptist Churches of the West.

 Connie and Ralph were blessed to live most of their retirement years in Mount Hermon where she was free to pursue her favorite hobbies of reading, gardening and crafting to her heart’s content. In 2004, she and Ralph made the decision to move back to Clovis where they would be closer to family as they entered their senior years and were excited to return to Clovis First Baptist Church where they had served and were honorary members. With Ralph’s declining health prior to his death, Connie took on a new role as his dedicated and loving caretaker until he was called home to be with the Lord. In time, although in good health, Connie herself would decline through the disease of dementia leading to full care in the final 23 months of her life. Although unable to fully verbalize her memories, she always recognized the love that came to visit in the form of family and friends and provided by her caretakers. 

Early Monday morning, August 17th, Connie was blessed to be relieved of the burden of dementia and be fully restored in the presence of our Lord. She is predeceased by her parents, Maynard and Edith Congdon; sister Sharon Congdon; husband Ralph P. Rowe and several dearest friends in life. Connie is survived by a sister, Betty Vaiani, two sons and their wives, David and Rose Rowe, Stephen P and Tracy Rowe; two grandsons and their wives, Stephen T Rowe and Rebecca-Anne Castro-Rowe, Gregory and Melissa Rowe along with two great-grandsons, William Castro-Rowe and Harrison P. Rowe.

 Connie’s passing, although difficult for those of us remaining, is also a time of rejoicing in the Lord’s love and everlasting mercies that have provided full health and perfection in Heaven. All praise to Jesus for now and forevermore, Amen.