In Memoriam

WANDA M. ROWLAND

Rebekah Assembly President, 1974

1914 ~ 1982

The Savior has plucked a cherished rosebud from our Rebekah garden for God needs some lovely flowers for His garden up above.  That's why he takes His children to the mansions of His love.

Somewhere back of the sunset

Where loveliness never dies,

She lives in a land of glory

'Mid the blue and gold of the skies.

And we, who have known and loved her,

Whose passing has brought sad tears

Will cherish her memory always

To brighten the passing years.

On April 27, 1982, our Golden Chain of Friendship was again severed when our beloved Past President, Sister Wanda M. Rowland was called to that Grand Assembly above.  She was born March 14, 1914, in Idaho Falls and attended local schools.  On November 16, 1933, she married Keith M. Rowland and they lived in the Idaho Falls area except for the last five years spent at Mackay, Idaho.

Sister Wanda loved all things of beauty as she lived a beautiful and exemplary life.  She was gentle, patient, brave, devoted....this was always Wanda's way.  She was dedicated to God, to her country, to others, and to herself.  She lived the principles of Odd Fellowship.  She believed in sharing and serving.  True Sisterhood is a vivid description of the life and character of Sister Wanda.

Her fraternal life began when she joined Lily Rebekah Lodge No.33 on December 30, 1941.  She served as Noble Grand in 1953 and was elected Warden of the Rebekah Assembly in 1971.  In 1973-1974 she was President of our great Order and served with dignity and pride.  Her motto was "Be a Guiding Light in the Golden Links of Friendship," while promoting harmony, progress and service to others.  She was representative to I.A.R.A. in 1975 and was an assistant the next year in Denver.  She received the Decoration of Chivalry in 1973.

Sister Wanda was also a guiding light in many other organizations--she was Past President of Pocatello No.11, Ladies Auxiliary Patriarch Militants; Idaho Falls Theta Rho Club Advisor for many years and always had a great concern for the younger generation.  She was a member of Harmony Chapter Nop.44, Order of Eastern Star; a past president of Business Women's Association, The Riverdale Grange, the Cowbelles of Mackay, and New Sweden Pleasure Riders.  She was also a long time member of the Bonneville County Fair Board and Department Superintendent of the Eastern State Fair Board.  Her life was indeed a life of service.

Sister Wanda had a business career and worked as bookkeeper for many years, retiring for the Idaho Falls High School business office in 1978.  She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Idaho Falls.

She is survived by her husband, Keith, a son, two daughters, eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, her father, four brothers and one sister.

To the work of our Order she gave her best,

And now in Heaven finds peaceful rest.

Kind, loving, loyal and true,

She blessed the world by passing through.

Gladys L. Hensley, PP