Rowena Beryl Kerber

Rowena Beryl Kerber, 93 went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 6, 2019. Rowena will be missed by many, mostly her husband Mel. She was Mel’s right arm in everything he did. A special thank you to Asante Hospice and Heritage House for the wonderful care they gave her in her final days.

Rowena was born to Greenwood Hamilton Pannell and Rowena Ray McKay Pannell in Wesson, Mississippi on June 4, 1926. During the great Depression she moved with her family to Fresno, CA in 1933. She attended a three room 1-8 grade school and finished high school in Fresno at the age of 17. She started working for a doctor as his receptionist, bookkeeper and nurse all in one person. This gave her a good foundation for her future work.

In September 1945 she entered Fresno State University studying Music and Liberal Arts. She married Melvin Kerber on Oct. 9, 1946. Together they attended BIOLA studying Bible and Music. When her mother became ill, they moved back to Fresno in 1948 and Rowena took a job with a legal firm.

In 1952 they moved to San Diego where they lived until the fall of 1987. Rowena started doing transcription at home for many doctors. A group of four doctors asked her to come and work for them and quickly promoted her to office manager. These doctors soon opened four offices in San Diego county and Rowena was asked to form her own company supervising all of the people working for these four doctors.

In 1986, Rowena was taken in as a life time member of the American College of Medical Group Administrators. Rowena was one of the first women to be given this title.
Mel and Rowena retired in 1987 and moved to a very nice A Frame home near Wimer, Oregon. After 2 ½ years they moved into Grants Pass where they lived in the same home for 27 years until recently when they moved into Countryside Village.

Rowena was not one to sit idle. Rowena started teaching quilting at Rogue Community College until funds ran out. Then Rowena taught quilting in her home for many years.
Rowena was the chair of the Gospel Rescue Missions Financial Board, chair of the Faith House board when they purchased their present home, Christian Services Network board chair, and ROC food pantry board chair. Most recently she chaired the search committee for a new pastor at First Christian Church. Rowena was a person who believed God’s work is never finished.

Rowena loved to travel. Mel and Rowena took 13 cruises, went on several motor home trips, and together they led groups of seniors at River Valley Community Church on bus trips, cruises, train trips all over the country and Canada.

Rowena is survived by her husband Melvin Leroy Kerber, daughter Rowena Lynn Haynes, granddaughters Dr. Alyssa Rowena Summers and Tarrah Marie Kerber, grandson Aaron Mark Bonine, three great grandsons – Luke Bonine, Tyler Bonine and Eli Eugene Summers, and one great granddaughter Anara Rowena Summers. Rowena was preceded in death by her two sons.

A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., October 10, 2019 at First Christian Church in Grants Pass with Pastor Wes Winn officiating.