Vincent E. “Vince” Rowan, 93 of Tomah, passed peacefully on Saturday February 1, 2025, at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tomah. He was born on July 25, 1931, to Joseph and Mary Lucille (Morse) Rowan in Sparta.
He was a member of the Tomah Senior High School graduating class of 1949. After graduating, he furthered his education at The Milwaukee School of Engineering after which he began his career at Chuck’s Refrigeration in Tomah.
He was united in marriage to Helen Gamerdinger on June 7, 1952, in Tomah. They spent over 72 wonderful years by each other’s side.
Vince joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War.
After his military service, he worked for AT&T in Madison and then in Wausau for 20 years. After his career with AT&T, Vince and Helen decided to move to Tomah where they started their family business, Rowan’s T.V. and Appliance. They owned and operated this business for almost 40 years. It was truly a family business as many of those years were spent working alongside their sons. Their business was well known for their service and integrity within the community and surrounding areas.
Vince was an active member of the Tomah Lions Club and the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201. He served in various officer positions within both organizations.
His faith was very important to him. Wherever Vince and Helen called home, he was an active and faithful member in the churches they attended. During his final years, his home church became St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, which is located near the area of his birth and youth in the Kirby area near Warrens, Wisconsin.
He is survived by his wife, Helen of Tomah, three sons, Vincent L. “Vinnie” (Barb) Rowan, Bryan (LeAnna) Rowan and Shane (Kris) Rowan all of Tomah. Grandchildren, Adam (Karen) Rowan of Watertown MN, Heather Rowan of Tomah, EricaRowan of Tomah, Daniel (Shannan) Rowan of Tomah, Thomas (Nicole) Rowan of Tomah, Seth (Amy) Rowan of Warrens, Eden (Paul) Johnson of Lake Bronson MN, Farren (Nick) Meyers of Ada OK, Delenn (Luke) Callaway of Warrens, Marcus (Sam) Rowan of Tomah, Brynn (Trey) Moser of Tomah, Jason Rowan of Tomah, and honorary grandson Joe (Iris) Yoder of Wilton, numerous great-grandchildren, a sister, DeDee of Deforest, sisters-in-law, Arlene Birkeness and Lucille Varney both of Tomah. He is further survived by a niece, Rowan Thompson of Deforest, and many friends and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Faith Rowan, and a brother Joey Rowan, his parents, a daughter, Sheila Rowan, two granddaughters, Kari Rowan and Gwen Rowan, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ed Wojtal, Howard Gamerdinger, Stanley Varney, Donald and Norma Jean Gamerdinger, Grace and Jerry Beltz, Wayne Birkeness, Marcella and Sydney Fritz, and Arlys Mass.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Warrens 4285 US-12 Warrens, WI. Pastor David Weber will officiate. Burial will be in Warren Mills Cemetery with military honors by the Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201.
Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Thursday at the church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah is assisting the family. Online condolences can be offered by visiting
www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home