Jan Rowberry

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Patrecia Jan Rowberry, on December 4, 2024.  She passed away surrounded by family, due to complications from pneumonia.

Jan was born to William and Patrecia Denning, May 19, 1958. They adored their precious girl and gave her a beautiful life in Iona. As the only girl, Pat ensured that Jan was always done up flawlessly. Her older brother, Rick, teased her relentlessly but assures us it was all out of love. Jan had a wonderful relationship with her Grandma Clark. One of her favorite memories was making homemade candy with her grandma during the holidays.

As a child she also loved playing sports, being outdoors and riding motorcycles with her friends and cousins. She valued her relationships with family and friends.  She always wanted a sister and was blessed to gain one through her best friend since third grade, Sheila.

Jan was a stunning and talented ballerina. Bill and Pat built her a dance studio in the basement of their home, and she danced every single day. That talent followed her through high school, college and into adulthood, where she also taught dance classes. Jan was also a beautiful singer and loved her time as a Bonnevaire. Rick and Jan sang duets at more events than they could count throughout their marriage. Music was a love that they shared.

Her husband, Rick, saw Jan for the first time in the Freshman Hallway at Bonneville High School. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. They continued to have a great friendship for years.  When he was home from his mission, he took her out on their first date to the movies. They fell in love fast and spent every day together until they were married on September 15, 1978, in the Idaho Falls Temple.  She was always grateful to Rick for helping her live her dream of being a wife and a mother. They had just celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary.

Her greatest joy in life were her four children, Britney, Richie, Hailey, and Riley. When her children were sick or disappointed their mom was the person they wanted to be with because she had a gift for nurturing.  She was a wonderful example of being a working businesswoman, but always having time for her kids.  She stayed up late to help them finish projects, got them ready for dances and activities and always loved school shopping each year.

Watching her children's sports year-round was a full-time job. She may have initially weakened her lungs from cheering and screaming during their basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and football games. Her loud cheering embarrassed them at the time, but now it's among their fondest memories. She never missed a game.

Jan adored her eight grandchildren, her little "Sweeties." She babysat, spoiled, and regularly took them to McDonald’s. She loved to support them in their activities and give them her unique great big grandma hug.

As an adult, you could often find Jan at the store, Denning's Showkase, greeting customers or in a back office doing bookkeeping.  She devoted a huge part of her life to building the store her parents started and worked with her brother Rick as an owner for most of her adult life.  For years she did all the radio and TV commercials for Denning's Showkase and was known for being "Wanda Whacker," a robed, curler wearing, character for store commercials, whacking down the prices on appliances with a rubber mallet.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and showed her love of Jesus Christ in the way she served people. She was incredibly selfless and would do anything for anyone. She checked in and visited, took in meals, and lent a listening ear. Her favorite thing was to have her toes in the sand by the ocean, while drinking a Diet Coke or Pina Colada.  She adored trips to Hawaii, a tradition started by her parents, and continued to travel anywhere tropical with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends.

Her beloved son, Richie, passed away in January of 2017. She has missed Richie so much and while we're heartbroken to have to say goodbye for now, we are grateful to know she is with Richie and her parents again.

She leaves behind her husband, Rick Rowberry; three children, Britney Wall, Hailey Jenkins (Skyler), and Riley Rowberry; her eight grandchildren, Eli, Blake, Griffin, Drayden, Treyton, Byntlee, Archie, and Jett; and her brother, Rick Denning (Debra).

She was preceded in death by her son, Richie Rowberry; her parents, Bill and Pat Denning; and her in-laws, Dick and Myrna Rowberry.

We are extremely grateful to all who have supported us with our sudden heartbreak. Life is so fragile; never miss a chance to give your loved ones a big hug and say, "I love you."

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Iona Stake Center, 7555 North 55th East. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery.

Services may be viewed live via Zoom.