Carla Holloway Rowse

Carla Holloway Rowse died at Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita, KS, on Saturday, August 2, 2014 following cardio- and kidney complications from diabetes.

She is survived by her husband, Kevin, of their home in Wichita; her daughter Melissa (Rowse) Alderman, son-in-law JJ Alderman, and granddaughters Mia and Aubrey, who are missionaries in Togo, West Africa. Carla is also survived by her father, Vernon Holloway, of Bella Vista, AR; sister, Heidi Holloway (Jantz) and husband Steve, of McPherson, KS; and brother, Derrin Holloway and wife Kayla, of Overland Park, KS.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Holloway, of McPherson; her in-laws, Dean and Helen Rowse of Chambers, NE, and by an infant son, Michael.

Carla was born to Peggy and Vernon Holloway on February 23, 1960, soon after the untimely death of her paternal grandfather, Carl Sherman Holloway, and was named Carla Sharon, in honor of him. She grew up on a family farm south of McPherson. She graduated from McPherson High School in 1978 and Central Christian College in 1980, majoring in Early Childhood Development.

Carla met Kevin Rowse on the campus of Central College. They were married at the Memorial Baptist Church in Chambers, NE on June 28, 1980, moving to rural Chambers, Nebraska; where Kevin’s family farmed, and raised cattle. The wife and homemaker roles were a happy fit for Carla, who fully enjoyed returning to farm life. Kevin and Carla were blessed with their first child, Melissa in December of 1981. Another child, Michael, passed away soon after birth in November, 1984. Following the death of Kevin’s father, and the sale of the family ranch, Kevin began pursuing a career as a pilot – a love he developed while in college. The next 30 years involved many cities, and many moves for Carla, Kevin, and Melissa, as Kevin’s aviation career moved them from place to place. Carla became a professional ‘packer’ as the family found friendly neighbors and church bodies in each hometown – including Grace Community in Newton, where Carla worked part-time in the church office for nearly seven years.

Carla and Kevin enjoyed traveling to Africa twice for extended time with their kids. Kevin’s pilot benefits enabled lots of other personal travel throughout the States, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the Bahamas and Ireland.

During the last five years, Carla’s life with diabetes had begun affecting her heart and blood vessels, as well kidneys, and circulation in her legs. She passed away in the hospital due to heart failure following surgery. We are at peace, knowing her health is restored in Heaven, and we, believers, will be together forever one day soon, with our Lord, Jesus. Thank you for your prayerful support, and your love and friendship.

A memorial to honor Carla has been established with Togo Palms, a missionary organization based in Togo, West Africa, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.

Family graveside and interment services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday (August 9, 2014) at the McPherson Cemetery in McPherson, Ks.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday (August 9, 2014) at the Grace Community Church in Newton.

Friends may call at the funeral home Friday Noon til 8pm, where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8pm.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.