Rowanna Blanton Gumaer
Rowanna Blanton Gumaer was born on March 4, 1921, at La Grange, Wyo., to Alex and Emma Blanton.
She completed her education in 1939 graduating as valedictorian of La Grange High School.
She moved to Priest River in 1940 and shortly thereafter married Mart Gumaer. Their family grew to include five children, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, two great -great-grandchildren and special friends, Ronnie and Martha Nelson.
Over the 68 years of residency in this area Rowanna was employed by several businesses including Sam’s Corner, The Lakeway Café and Warren’s Western Wear. She gave back to our community by serving on the election boards, holding membership in the PEO and maintaining a 58-year membership in The Order of Eastern Star where she served as their chapter secretary for more than 37 years.
Her life’s interests included crocheting beautiful table clothes, tending a big vegetable and flower garden and caring for home and family. One could always find a smile on her face, a kind word on her lips and helpfulness in her busy hands.
She was preceded in death by her parents, four of her eight siblings, her husband Mart in 1979, a daughter Nancy Thomas in 1991 and her son Robert in 2006. She is survived by her three daughters, Marcy O’ Rourke of Clarkston, Wash., Carol Butler of Priest River and Janice Briscoe of Moses Lake, Wash; a sister in-Law, Bonnie Gumaer; brothers, Warren Blanton of Kennewick, Wash., Elmo Blanton of Douglas, Wyo.; and two sisters Norma Williams of Wichita, Kan., and Minnie Gadbow of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rowanna was first confined to the hospital at Clarkston, Wash., due to a stroke April 18, 2008. Care was extended to her through the Clarkston Care Center. She departed this life on June 1, 2008.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday June 5, 2008, at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, Idaho, with interment to follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Priest River, ID is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guestbook at www.sherman-knapp.com
Memorials may be sent in Rowanna’s name to the American Cancer Society.