Christine Elnora Rowland

It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Christine Elnora Rowland on August 20, 2024, at the age of 79. Our hearts are heavy, but they are also filled with deep gratitude for the beautiful life she lived and the love she gave to everyone around her.

Born on June 28, 1945, Christine was a beacon of warmth, kindness, patience and unwavering devotion. To her family, she was our heart and soul, and to her friends and community, she was a constant source of light and encouragement. She had a way of making everyone feel valued and important, always ready with a smile, a listening ear, or a helping hand.

Her nurturing spirit touched the lives of many, especially as a dedicated teacher’s assistant. For years, she shaped young minds with patience and love, leaving an indelible mark on every child who had the privilege of being under her care. She wasn’t just a teacher; she was a mentor, a confidante, and a second mother to so many. She also became the rock of her extended family, always stepping in to care for others' children as if they were her own.

Her devotion to family was unmatched. Those she called her children were blessed to be raised by such an incredible woman. Christine’s love extended far and wide, but perhaps her greatest joy was being a grandmother. She adored her four grandchildren—Jordyn, Ethan, Lily, and Logan—with every fiber of her being. She cherished every moment spent with them, and they all say that what they will miss most is spending time at her house, playing the games she taught them. To them, she was their best friend, their guide, and their biggest cheerleader.

Jordyn, her eldest granddaughter, shared: “It is hard to put into just a few sentences what I miss most about Nanna, but I’ll miss just about everything. I will miss how kind-hearted and loving she was, and how she would make everyone laugh just by being herself. She had such a beautiful soul, and I admired how much she cared about everyone around her. She has made such a huge impact on my life, and I will always look up to her.”

In addition to her devotion to family, Christine had a true passion for cooking and baking. She loved nothing more than gathering her loved ones around a table filled with delicious homemade meals, prepared with love. Her kitchen was always filled with the aromas of her favorite recipes and family classics that we’ll continue to cherish. Whether it was a simple weekday meal or a grand holiday feast, she took joy in feeding the people she cared for, turning every meal into a special occasion. Her culinary creations were not just food; they were acts of love, and she found great happiness in sharing them with friends, neighbors, and family alike.

One of the greatest gifts she gave to all of us was her unwavering faith. Her love for the Lord was steadfast, a guiding light through every season of her life. She lived her faith quietly but powerfully, always choosing love, kindness, and humility. Her relationship with God was evident in every act of service, every word of encouragement, and every gesture of kindness. She found immense joy in life’s simple pleasures: serving her congregation, the laughter of her grandchildren, and the quiet peace of a flower blooming under her care.

As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the incredible woman she was. She was the heart of our family—the one we all turned to in times of need, the one who could make any situation better simply by being present. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and faith that will continue to guide us as we move forward without her physical presence.

She will be deeply missed by her loving daughter Tamara Brown and son-in-law Kenneth Brown; her son Jon Paul Rowland; her nephew, whom she raised as a son, Milyn Pack; her beloved grandchildren Jordyn, Ethan, Lily, and Logan; her sister Veronica Lynn Pack; and countless extended family members and friends who were blessed to know her.

Though words cannot fully capture the loss we feel, we find comfort in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with her loved ones in Heaven. Her spirit will remain with us always, and her love will continue to be felt in the hearts of all those she touched.

A celebration of Christine Rowland’s remarkable life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Northside Church of Christ. The graveside service will take place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 10:00 am at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family kindly requests flowers be sent to Wickham Funeral Home (Cherryvale, KS) in honor of her lifelong dedication to serving others.

We will forever miss you, Mom. Your love, your light, and your legacy will live on in all of us. Rest peacefully in the arms of the Lord.