Arneitha Rowene (Skallburg) Holmes was born on April 10, 1923 in Essex, Iowa, the daughter of Albert E. and Helen W. (Peterson) Skallburg. Rowene entered into eternal peace on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at the Shenandoah Medical Center.

Rowene graduated from Essex High School with the Class of 1940. On May 15, 1941 she was united in marriage to Marion "Bus" Holmes in Rock Port, Missouri. The couple was blessed with the birth of two sons, Gary and Roger.

During her working days Rowene worked in the office at Henry Fields and later at H & R Block. Her true love was helping her husband in the field running the tractor. She also enjoyed raising a garden and giving away the surplus to her friends.

Rowene was a member of the Faith Covenant Church and the Covenant Women's Group, which she held many offices. She also belonged to a local neighborhood club until it disbanded. She had a deep love of music and enjoyed singing in the Glee Club and the church choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bus, sister and brother-in-law Guyla Youngberg and husband Howard, brothers and sisters-in-law Carrol and Vera Holmes and Joe and Norma Holmes Maher.

Those left to cherish her memory include sons Gary Holmes of Essex and Roger Holmes of Byron, GA; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.