Rose Sowder

Rose was born September 26, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington to Charles and Sophie Preuss-the second eldest girl of three sisters and four brothers. After graduating from McKinley High School in 1920 she worked as a sales clerk saving money to finance her dream of a college education. In the fall of '23 she enrolled at the University of Idaho. During her four years at U of I Rose achieved many honors. Among them: President Kappa Alpha Theta a national social fraternity, Beta Theta chapter 1925-26; President Girls Athletic Association; Woman's Tennis Champion; member of the Baseball and Volleyball Team; and Yell Queen all while achieving academic excellence. She graduated in 1927 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She spent her first year after graduation teaching Home Economics and Latin at Soda Springs, ID. In 1928, she married her college sweetheart and the love of her life, Arthur M. Sowder. Rose spent two years in Rosalia, WA teaching Home Economics before moving to Moscow, ID for a teaching position at Whitworth Jr. High from 1930-33. In 1934 Rose and Art left their western roots and headed to New Haven, Connecticut so that Art could pursue his Masters in Forestry at Yale University. Here they started their family with daughter, Sandra. Upon completion of Art's degree they returned to the Spokane, WA area where their second daughter, Cynthia, was born. A year later Art accepted a position with the Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. and their third daughter, Diane, was born. While living in D.C. Rose devoted herself to her daughter's activities as a Girl Scout Leader. The troop referred to her as "Emily Post". Forever the teacher, even when camping she did not allow the troop members to forget proper table manners nor sanitation when cooking outdoor meals! As we entered junior high she was elected president of our Parent Teacher Association. After much talk and planning the family moved to a custom built home on acreage in Sandy Spring, MD in 1953. With Sherwood Elementary and High school less than a mile from their home, Rose resumed her teaching career. Since Diane was still in elementary school she taught 5th and 6th grade for 2 years before accepting a position at the high school as Home Economics teacher when Diane entered 7th grade. She became Department Head a position she held until she retired in 1965. She was a much beloved and appreciated teacher as evidenced by the many former students who would see her around town and remind her of the positive influence she had on their lives. Rose enjoyed her retirement and became even more active in the community; volunteering to judge 4-H clothing at county and state fairs, fund-raising for Montgomery County General Hospital through their annual Suppers and Thrift Shop, and as Historian for the then fledgling Sandy Spring Museum. Classes in rug braiding and gemstone identification followed retirement and assistance to her daughters with stringing and knotting pearls and gemstone beads at International Gem shows in the D.C. and Seattle areas. Additionally she helped manufacture several styles of necklaces for the Smithsonian Institution Catalogue. She enjoyed sharing her season tickets for the summer plays at Olney Theater with family and friends. Through her travels over the years with Art and family she was proud to have been able to visit 49 of the 50 states, often commenting on the beauty she saw in nature and our nation. In addition to Canada and Mexico she traveled with a tour group to Australia and returned with a pretty good Australian accent! She loved all animals-especially her Weimaraner dog, watching the wildlife that passed through her acreage and the many birds that came to her feeders. There are not too many seniors that would undertake housetraining an 8-week old puppy at age 96 as she did! Grandmother Rose provided a multitude of activities for her grandchildren. They referred to their visits to Sandy Spring fondly as "Rosie's Boot Camp". Depending on the season the activities could be shucking bushels of corn for corn pudding, making pulled mints, baking cookies, yard work parties, collecting windfalls, picking berries for jam, weeding the garden, waxing floors, and polishing brass. Memories forever cherished by the grandchildren. Their rewards were her companionship, stories, trips to the stream turning over rocks looking for critters, singing them to sleep, and her homemade waffles for breakfast. She was their role model for high ideals and standards. In January 2000 Rose moved from Sandy Spring to Washington to live with her daughter, Cynthia. During the past five years she has been embraced by many relatives, became a member of the First Lutheran Church, enjoyed the friends she's made in her Bible Study group, and shared Cynthia's activities and friends. Asked what she attributed her longevity to and she would say, "Eating well-balanced meals." We feel blessed that you shared your life, high ideals and standards with us for 102 years. We love you and miss you...