Thomas "Tom" E. Rowse

Thomas E. Rowse was born July 13, 1937 to Elsie (Rippke) and Edward M. Rowse in Correctionville, Iowa. He attended school in Correctionville and graduated from Correctionville High School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-57 and on his return went to work at the Correctionville Post Office, where he worked until his retirement as postmaster in 1998.

Tom married Barbara Jacobs in December of 1965. They established their home in Correctionville and began a family. After Tom’s retirement from the Post Office, he and Barbara continued in their tax preparation and bookkeeping business.

Tom was a 50-year Mason and was active in several Masonic organizations, including Scottish Rite and Shrine. He was a member of Trial Lodge 532, and he was given his 33rd Degree in 2005. He was also active in civic affairs, serving on the local school board and also as Correctionville mayor for two terms.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elsie Rowse; in-laws, Clifford and Wanda Jacobs; two infant daughters, Mary Gayle and Jennifer Lynn; many aunts and uncles including Doris Briese and Wayne and Wilma Jacobs.

Left to cherish Tom’s memory are his wife, Barbara; daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Rowse; brother and sister, Thurman Rowse and Janell Rowe; brother and sister-in-law, John Sr. and Gayle Jacobs; uncle, Fred Briese, and his family; nieces and nephews, John (Buck) Jacobs Jr. and Nancy, Robert (Bubba) Jacobs and Nancy, Susan and Scott Durrenberger, Carmen and Todd Martin, Roxanne and Dennis Hart, David and Linda Rowe; special grand-nieces and nephews, David and Noelle Jacobs, Megan and Newt Lingenfelter, Kayla and Jonathon Erwin, Ashley Durrenberger and special friend, Logan, Alyssa Martin, Kelsi Martin and special friend, Al, Cody Jacobs, Sarah Rowe, and Katie Rowe; very special great-grand nieces and nephews, Cohen, Paige, Carson, and Camden Jacobs, Huxley, Paxton, and Booker Lingenfelter, and Mason and Anna Clair Erwin. Many others, loved like family, were special to Tom, and he treasured his time with all of his family.