Rose Marie Dowers

Posted

HAWK SPRINGS – Rose Marie Dowers, 85, died Friday, March 12, 2021. 

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 20, at 1 p.m. at the Riverside Church of Christ in Torrington with Nelson Miles officiating. Burial in the LaGrange Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Frontier School of the Bible in LaGrange and/or Hawk Springs Fire Department in Hawk Springs.

Rosie was born June 7, 1935 in Culbertson, Neb. to George William and Gertrude (Colwell) Kirchner. She moved with her family to Wyoming in 1940. Rosie grew up in the Yoder area and graduated from Yoder High School in 1954. 

On May 22, 1955, she married Hugh Lee Dowers at Hawk Springs Community Church in Hawk Springs. Four daughters were born to this union: Gwen, Barbie, Dixie and Peggy. Together, they raised their children in Torrington. Rosie was a stay-at- home mom, being very active in her children’s school and extra-curricular activities during their childhoods. When Peggy was in high school, Rosie went to work at Goshen County Nursing Home in Torrington. She worked in the laundry department for 15 years before retiring.

When Rosie’s first grandchild was born, she transformed into the fun-filled grandmother lovingly known as “Nanny.” She made sure each grandchild knew the special place in her heart that was just for them. Her six grandchildren are: Amanda, Jason, Devin, Skyler, Kolter and Hunter.

In 1992, a tragedy happened in Hugh and Rosie’s lives; their house burnt to the ground. They lost their worldly possessions but were blessed no one was hurt in the fire. That devastating event led to a real blessing in disguise. They moved to Lone Tree Canyon, where Hugh grew up. That is where they lived happily together for the past approximate 30 years. They graciously shared their home and beautiful land with many friends and family. So many have enjoyed family reunions, camp outs, picnics and holidays with them. 

Rosie’s cabbage buns and cinnamon rolls were her specialty. She loved baking and sharing her goodies with everyone. She will be endearingly remembered for the amazing holiday meals she prepared for her family and guests throughout the years. 

Rosie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Hugh Lee Dowers, of Hawk Springs; daughters, Gwendolyn Kaye Dowers, Barbara Ann (Scott) Elder, Dixie Lee (Mark) Elder and Peggy Sue Dowers, all of Torrington; grandchildren, Amanda Jo Dowers, Jason Lee Moore, Devin Lee Daugherty, Skyler Jakob Elder, Kolter Ryan Elder and Hunter Jeremiah Staniforth. Rosie was a special aunt to eight nephews and 12 nieces. 

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Gertrude Kirchner; siblings Arthur “Bumps” Kirchner, Kathleen “Katie” Vermillion, Jacob “Jay” Kirchner, Elmer Kirchner (infant brother) and Robert “Buck” Kirchner; nephew, Greg Kirchner and niece, Jolie Kirchner.