Joanne C. Rowe

In Loving Memory of Joanne Charlene Rowe

August 23, 1934-August 18, 2025

Joanne Charlene Rowe, 90, of Sioux City, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 18, 2025, at her home after a long, courageous battle of cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and conversation that touched every life she encountered. A celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025 at the Morningside chapel, Meyer Brothers Funeral Homes. Visitation with the family will be at 10:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Graceland Park Cemetery in Sioux City.

Joanne Charlene (Grubel) Rowe, the daughter of George and Chloris (Davis) Grubel, was born on August 23, 1934, in Sioux City, Iowa. Joanne grew up in Sioux City and attended both East Junior and graduated from East High School in 1952. She was active in a variety of school activities and served on the homecoming court. Growing up, Joanne enjoyed spending time outdoors and was a tomboy, who tagged along with her older brother, Punky (Henry) and his friends. She had a lifelong passion for animals, children, the outdoors, and conversation.

On June 6, 1953, Joanne was united in marriage with Edward Rowe in Sioux City. Together they had two sons, Brad and Dan. For the majority of their lives, Joanne was a homemaker but she was actively involved in the community and served on numerous committees: P.E.O, Tri-T, a Den Mother for Boy Scouts, President of the PTA at Longfellow Elementary, President of the Y-Wives, and up until the past few years, she was an active member of her church circle at Morningside Lutheran Church.

Joanne was a woman whose heart was filled with love and compassion. She lived her life as an example of care and kindness, always placing the needs of others before her own. Family was her greatest joy, and she poured her love into every role she held-whether as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, or friend. Joanne was self-less and lived to serve others.

Those who knew her will remember her gift for conversation. She could, and would talk with anyone, anywhere, at any time. Whether she was negotiating Disney World tickets in the McDonald’s lobby or chatting with a neighbor in the aisles of the grocery store, Joanne had the gift of gab and ruled the Grubel Gazette.

She enjoyed traveling, hosting and entertaining, and participating in her children and grandchildren’s activities. One of her favorite activities was hosting her annual Christmas cookie party. The Florida beach and the Canadian waters were two of her favorite pastimes to spend with family and friends. Joanne always looked forward to hearing the loons while on the lake fishing in Canada. The annual family vacation to Blanche Lake where she was able to spend time laughing and gossiping with her extended family was a highlight each year. She will be cherished and missed dearly by so many that she touched in her 90 years.

Joanne is survived by her son, Dan (Sherri) Rowe of Sioux City, Iowa; a daughter-in-law Joan Rowe of Dakota City, Nebraska; a sister, Judy Petrik of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; grandchildren Melanie (Jake) Odegard of Milford, Iowa, Matt (Cyndi) Rowe of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Melissa (Josh) Hansen of Sioux City, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Abby, Carli, Molly, Blakely, Madelaine, Miranda (Cody), Ruby, Brody, and Bella; great-great grandchildren, Waylen and Zayven; and many nieces and nephews who will carry her memory with them always.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed Rowe; her son, Brad Rowe; her brother Henry Grubel; a grandson, Ryan Rowe; and two special nieces, Jill Greig and Georgi Grau.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Joanne’s granddaughter, Melissa Hansen, to establish a scholarship fund in Joanne’s name at East High School for a recipient of the graduating class of 2026.