Rowe, Laurence H.

Laurence H. Rowe, 85, of Coggon, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Strawberry Point Lutheran Home, Strawberry Point. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, at Noelridge Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. James Cotten and the Rev. Becky High. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Burial: Coggon Cemetery, Coggon.

Survivors include his wife, Norma, of Coggon; a daughter, Robin (Bill) Henderson of Walker; a son, Brian Rowe of Coggon; a sister, Lela Mayes of Marion; sister-in-law, Lois Rowe of Center Point; grandchildren, David Weekly of Walker, Jennifer Weekly (fiance Matt Hormann) of Clarence, Brent Rowe (Amanda Seeman) of Coggon and Becky Henderson of Red Wing, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Steven; a daughter, Stacia; and a brother, Raymond.

Laurence was born Dec. 1, 1924, the son of James and Ruth (Fairchild) Rowe, in Troy Mills, Iowa. He served in the Navy during World War II and married Norma Lee Schatzle on Sept. 15, 1946, in Coggon. He had been a longtime and active member of First Christian Church of Coggon and was presently a member of Noelridge Christian Church in Cedar Rapids. Laurence was a life member of Northeast Linn Ambulance and the Coggon Fire Department, where he had served as chief for 35 years. He and his wife, Norma, owned and operated Coggon Varieties for many years. He was then employed at Savage Lumber until his retirement. Laurence spent a great deal of his time at the fire department and lending a hand wherever needed.

In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and carpentry.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial fund has been established in Laurence's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Laurence at under obituaries.