The Life of AUDREY MAE BIRD ROWAT
Audrey Bird Rowat left this home for her home in Heaven on April 10, 2010 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.
She was born April 6, 1923, in Casey, IA, to George and Hilda Johnson. She grew up in Des Moines and graduated from North High School. Audrey spent time in California working for Douglas Aircraft during World War II. In California she met her first husband, William Bird. They had two children, Linda (Tom) Corson of Clive and William (Debra) Bird of Des Moines. After they moved back to Des Moines she worked as a secretary for IMT Insurance, Calvary Baptist Church, Mid- America Baptist Churches and for the State of Iowa from where she retired.
After losing her first husband in 1972 and spending 13 years as a widow, she found love again and married John Rowat. She added to her family John's children Carol (Dick) Bath, Central Point, OR and Jeff (Luann) Rowat of Des Moines.
She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church for nearly half a century. Over the years she volunteered as a church librarian and Sunday School teacher, as well as arranging flowers for the services. She loved working with John at the church and making banners for the sanctuary.
She was preceded in death by both husbands, William Bird and John Rowat, and her sister, Velda Kerpon. Audrey will be missed by her brother, Glenn (Dorothy) Johnson of Fresno, CA and grandchildren Tony (Becky) Corson of Lewisville, TX; Kathleen and Rebecca Bird of Des Moines; Mindy Bath, Eugene, Oregon; Joel (Brooke) Bath, Glendive, MT; and Sarah, Megan and Jay Rowat of Des Moines.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Highland Memory Gardens followed by a reception for family and friends at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice in Johnston in loving memory of Audrey.