Rowena Mae Schweizer

Rowena Mae Schweizer, 88

Rowena Mae Schweizer, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026.

Rowena was born in Smithfield, Missouri, and lived a life rooted in love, family, and the love of volunteerism and service. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always put her family and her religion above all else.

Rowena was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Schweizer; her parents, Beulah and Buford; her sister, Dorothy Jean; and her grandchild, Austin. Surviving relatives include her children, Tracy White and husband Ira, Darcy McFarlane, Todd Schweizer and wife Beth and Ben Schweizer and wife Becky. Her grandchildren include Robert Fuller and partner Dillon Nevius; Alex Young and husband Radell; Tucker McFarlane and fiancée Rachel Haggard; Dustin McFarlane and wife Madison; Tad Schweizer and wife Sarah; Carly Breidensteiner and husband Ryan; Sam Schweizer and Azariah Schweizer. She is also survived by her great- granddaughters Amara and Aubreilla Young.

A lifelong educator, Rowena dedicated her career to the Des Moines Public School District, where she taught a variety of subjects and specialized in Business Education. In the early 1980s, she helped bring computers to the district—both learning the new technology herself and training fellow teachers to integrate it into their classrooms. Beyond her school career, Rowena also taught English to new Americans, forming life-long friendships with her students and their families along the way.

Rowena was deeply committed to her church community at Indianola Heights Christian Church, where she served faithfully in many roles throughout her life. She worked in the daycare, served as a Deacon, sat on the Board of Directors, participated in mission trips, and helped organize countless community events— from chili suppers and bake sales to fundraisers and outreach programs.

Rowena enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, often waking up early and staying up late to take them to school, sporting events, plays or on vacations. She and Larry traveled many miles and hours to visit them in other cities and states to watch them perform in plays, sporting events or whatever they were involved in. To Grandma, no event was ever too small, she loved watching her grandkids take part in it all.

Family will greet guests on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Rowena.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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