Obituary for
Ona Mae Rowden (Kennel)
Ona Mae (Kennel) Rowden, 91 of Strafford, was born on August 7, 1924 in Springfield, MO to Edward Franklin and Bessie Lee (Clubb) Kennel. She passed away on August 3, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones at home.
She was married by Rev. Holloway on August 21, 1947 to Glen Lawrence Rowden. After graduating in the spring of 1944, she took a train to California to work at Hillman-Kelly during WWII as a “Rosie the Riveter.” She worked at Springfield Pickle Works and called herself a “Pickle Packin Momma.” She helped run the family business “Glen Rowden Roofing” and worked at the Greene County Bank. Ona enjoyed playing music and singing with her family and friends, playing skipbo with her grandchildren, quilting, sewing, gardening and canning. The most important things in her life were her faith and love for God and her family.
Ona Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; parents, Edward and Bessie; 4 brothers, Everett Kennel, Loren Kennel, Ralph Kennel and David Kennel; 3 sisters, Irene Sweargin, Pauline Foster and Adele Latham.
She is survived by 2 daughters, Loretta Sue Hendrix and husband Pat of Bois D’Arc and Janice Nadine Ince and husband Donald Paul of Rogersville; 2 sons, Stephen Ray Rowden and wife Carol Jean of Strafford and Michael Glen Rowden of Strafford; 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Flo Perkins of Springfield and a host of family and friends.
A visitation will be held Monday, August 8, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Klingner-Cope at White Chapel, 5234 W. State Hwy EE, Springfield with service to follow at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Access Hospice for the tremendous care they gave Ona for the past 9 months.
Online condolences may be made at www.klingnerfuneralhome.com.
