In Memory
Dr Rowena (Shorb) Foos
Oct 26, 1926 - Apr 8, 2016
While in the presence of her family, Rowena departed to the "Greater Life" at the Billings Clinic Room 2472 on April 8, 2016. She went quietly without trauma, leaving us sad, but rejoicing that her sickness and suffering were over.
Rowena was born to Grover and Blanche Foust Shorb on Oct. 26, 1926, and was the youngest in a family of eight. She attended grade school through high school in South Bend, graduating valedictorian in a class of 400. She attended a branch of Indiana University for a year and then later enrolled at Wheaton College where she met her future husband Sam. They graduated in 1949. Rowena taught school for two years in South Bend while Sam served a church in Prospect Valley. They were married May 21, 1949, in South Bend and would have celebrated their 67th year together this coming May.
They drove to Colorado from South Bend in a Dodge Coup with a defective transmission — and made it safely! Rowena taught English and Latin as well as directed all of the school plays out of necessity, as the church only paid Sam a nominal salary plus potatoes, eggs and milk. Rowena taught school in Keenesburg, and Sam served a small country church. They lived in a cottage provided by one of the members of Zion Congregational Church. Sam was grateful for Rowena's good piano playing as the previous pianist was always playing wrong notes. Sam and Rowena really enjoyed the rich farming community there. The people were good to them.
They then moved to Lingle, Wyo., where their first son Stephen was born and later moved to Worland, Wyo., where their second son Randy was born. As an infant, Randy contracted a high fever and became mentally disabled.
They moved to Wiggins and were finally able to afford a Champion Studebaker (great on gas and dependable). Rowena used it to drive 38 miles to Greeley to earn her teaching certificate and later on she, Sam and family moved to Greeley, where Sam served a local church (Saint John's) and Rowena taught all different ages of children with various handicaps. She later, while working full-time with much personal sacrifice and discipline, earned her master's degree and Doctorate of Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Randy's disability fueled a passion for Rowena to help parents, families and children with both physical and mental disabilities.
There was an opportunity in California, and Sam took a church in San Bruno and Rowena accepted a position teaching special education at San Francisco State University with some extension classes at Chico State. After several years there, they made a decision to move to Hardin and later on to Billings, Mont., where they have been the last 40 years. Sam served churches in Hardin, Worden and later on in Billings. Rowena was professor of special education at Eastern Montana College and later on headed up special education for the Billings School district.
Rowena was a pioneer in many new innovative teaching methods and was a very active advocate for the funding of programs for children with disabilities. She was also both an advocate and pioneer for women in the workplace pushing boundaries and holding positions traditionally held by men.
Both Sam and Rowena have touched many lives in the Billings area and other parts of the country. Rowena will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband, Sam; two children, Stephen (Clare) of Reno, Nev., and Randy of Billings; and three grandchildren, Aileen, Samuel and Stephanie.
A Celebration of the Life for Dr. Rowena Foos will be held at 2 p.m., April 30, 2016, at the Mayflower Church, 2940 Poly Drive, Billings, Mont. 59102.
A heartfelt thanks from the family for the love and professional care provided to Rowena by the staff at Billings Clinic Hospital ICU and at Morning Star Senior Living.
Source: FindAGrave.com
08/01/2025 EJS
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