Rowena Bell Debolt

Rowena Bell DeBolt was called Home by our Heavenly Father on January 12, 2013. She was 92 years old and a resident of Manhattan Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan, Kansas. Rowena was born on January 7, 1921 to Ben and Emme Hurley in Ripley, Oklahoma. They preceded her in death. On October 15, 1940 she married Earl Joe DeBolt. She lovingly cared for him for many years before his death in 1982. Two daughters were born to their union: Donna (Steve) Jones of Mt. Perry, Ohio and Sandra (John) Allard of Manhattan, Kansas. Rowena was an affectionate and devoted mother. She adored her sons-in-law and treated them as her own children. She was a doting grandmother of Liz (Dan) Olson, Columbus, Ohio; Mark (Ronda) Jones of Clinton, Utah; Matt Jones (Beth) of Zanesville, Ohio; Michael (Lynn) Allard of Roswell, Georgia and David (April) Allard of Keats, Kansas; and her fifteen great-grandchildren. Rowena's sense of humor delighted everyone and she was a talented writer. She enchanted all of the family with stories of her childhood and youth. She also wrote fiction and poetry, some of which were published. Besides her daughters , Rowena is survived by her brother, Virgil Hurley of Worland, Wyoming; all of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 2 sisters and 7 brothers. Graveside services were held in Valentine, Nebraska on January 16, 2013. Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home was in charge of the services. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.