Obituary of Karen Rowekamp

Karen Anna (nee Edeltraut Anna Irma) Rowekamp, 97, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2021. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Bernard John Rowekamp. Karen is survived by her daughter, Gay (Gabriele) and husband Anthony Sava, grandchildren, Liesa and husband Jim Glover, and Tony and wife Christina Sava, and five great-grandchildren: Houston, Mitchell, and Elsa Glover, and AJ and Katie Sava. Karen was born May 3, 1924, in Breslau, Germany (now Wroklaw, Poland), the only child of Elsa Anna Starke and Georg Glatzel. She was an accountant for the German Railway during WWII and fled approaching Russian troops on the last train leaving the city which was reserved for employees. Once in W. Germany, she found work with the Red Cross making and serving doughnuts to American soldiers, and then with the U.S. Army in Lager Hammelburg working in the craft shop. There she met Ben Rowekamp, and in time, they married. Karen embarked on her new career as a military wife making happy homes for the family in Alabama (twice), California, Germany (twice), and Texas (twice). Karen became a proud US citizen and took adult American History classes to learn more about her country. She always had a love of gardening and nature, and was considered the “Bird Lady” in every community in which she lived, saving as many bird babies as she could from those handed to her every Spring. Karen’s positive, optimistic attitude and cheerful disposition garnered her many wonderful friends. Ben called her his Pollyanna. Quite a role model for her family who knew of her many struggles with childhood polio, wartime deprivations, and her later health crises, living through Polymyositis, macular degeneration, hearing loss, and finally dementia. She embodied her favorite words: Faith, Hope, and Love. Music and poetry were her constant companions. She was most proud of being a member of the Alpine Singers in Huntsville Alabama. She liked giving people joy with their music. In the midst of her final struggles with dementia, Karen could still remember many lyrics and poems, which gave her much happiness. Karen will be greatly missed by those who love her, but oh, what joy she will bring to Heaven!