1927
2019
FLORENCE K. (STANEK) ROWLAND
May 14, 1927 ˜ April 17, 2019
Florence K. (Stanek) Rowland has gone to be with our dad, Jack, her beloved daughter, Sharon and son, James. Our mom was born in Kelso, WA on May 14, 1927 to Frank and Dora Stanek. They moved to Ridgefield about 1930 and then to Vancouver, WA in about 1935 and this was her home since then. Our mom went to the Little Minnehaha Grade School, Shumway Junior High School, and Fort Vancouver High School.She quit school and went to work in the shipyard to help the war effort. She was a messenger and delivered plus picked up mail on all 12 bays (where the ships were being built). She made two trips daily on a bicycle and she loved it. She later went to work at Barnes General Hospital where the wounded soldiers were brought. After a year, she went back to the shipyard as a sheet metal worker.
She met our dad, Jack, about June 30th, 1945 and were married August 9, 1945. Our dad passed away in 1993. They had been married for 48 years. Our sister Sharon passed in 2013 and brother, James passed in 2018. Mom leaves behind us boys, Jeff and Jack Jr. She had two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
She had lived in her home for 57 years, it was a very compact home and she and dad loved the place. They put a lot of sweat, love and pride in it.
After her youngest son was in school all day, she began part time work as a waitress. She was in that profession for 35 years. 22 years of that was for Bill’s Chicken and Steak House. She was better known as ”Flo”. She had worked at the L-Ray Cafe part time also. She loved working with the public. But when school was out, she was our mom. She said ”my neighbors are not raising my kids”. When school started again, so did mom. She retired in 1998 and spent her time enjoying doing things. This kept her busy four days a week. She did a lot of sewing in her time. She made her own clothes and received many compliments on them. She loved her work and the people. Mom loved going places and went to many. She also loved to dance and enjoy good company. There were no strangers to mom. She could talk to anyone and everyone. She took tap dancing class at Luepke and her group performed at the Clark County Fair. She also took a line dancing class at Luepke. She enjoyed it very much and met many new friends. She also made the best peach pie in Vancouver. She also loved playing her organ. Our dad would say, ”Play one more mother.” and she would. Mom will be missed by many, including us boys.
Graveside service will be Wed., May 8, 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Coffee and cookies will be inside for everyone.
Please sign her guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Florence was our neighbor growing up there on 42nd. I always remember her infectious laugh. She treated the neighborhood kids like her own. Though I haven't seen her in decades I am happy to see she had a long and fulfilling life. My thoughts are with her family
Richard Swanson
May 12, 2019
My Grandma worked at Bill's Chicken Inn (later Bill's Chicken and Steak House), worked at Kaiser, and knew my Grandfather for five weeks before they got married.
I was born in a Kaiser hospital, married my wife eight weeks after we started dating, and we got married in the banquet room of Bill's Chicken and Steak House.
To say my Grandma had a big impact on my life is an understatement. Her home was literally the capitol of my family from before my first conscious memory. There's a swing out back under her awning that has held up the butts of four generations of Rowland's. There's a drawer in her kitchen with a slight dip under the right side from where my foot wore the wood from pulling it open with my toe to see if she had any Twinkie's. I learned to draw at her kitchen table. I learned to read from my aunt's old comic books in her basement. I learned to drive in their car. I dreamed dreams in her back yard.
You know how people at funerals always say the deceased was "a great man," even if the guy was a jerk? Well, my Grandma really and honestly WAS a great woman. You know how I know that? She raised four kids and two grandkids in a house with ONE BATHROOM! She was the best of us. She was kind, she was funny, she was generous, she was a friend to everyone who walked in her door. If you were in her house, she was going to feed you. She tried to never have an unkind word about anybody. She was stalwart, brave, single-minded, determined, courageous, calm under pressure, and her hair was always perfect.
...and she was my Grandma.
She was amazing.
Tony Rowland
May 10, 2019
Flo was enjoyed & respected by all of the Luepe Senior Center.
Oliver funk
May 5, 2019
Love you grandma, the boys and I miss you terribly! Give Sharon, grandpa and James a big hug from us!
Shelley Matthews
May 5, 2019
Sending my sincere condolences to the family. May the God of comfort give you strength and peace during this difficult time. -Psalm 29:11
April 30, 2019
Miss you Flo. So sorry to see you go. You were a bright spot at our dances. So sorry for your sons loss.
Jeanette Dunkin
April 30, 2019
So sorry for your loss. We will all miss her at the dances that she enjoyed so much. Rest in peace Flo.
April 30, 2019
Jack & Jeff - We were sorry to read of your Mom's passing. She was such a lovely person. We always enjoyed going to lunch 'with' her at Bill's.
David & Mary Mitten
April 29, 2019
Sorry for your loss,
I remember your mom from Bills
Flow was a real go getter
Diane Gatter
April 28, 2019
Flo was the best. She could talk to anyone about anything. A great person, wonderful waitress and a great asset Bills Chicken and Steak House.She was the life of the party. Alan Teel and the staff at Bills
April 28, 2019
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