Obituary for Jenny Rowland
Jenny (Martinez) Rowland passed away Saturday afternoon at Saint Francis Hospital in Wichita Kansas, due to Covid pneumonia. With her family and loved ones at her bedside she raised her hand, pointed to heaven and said “Always Put God First.” She had a very strong belief in God and said daily prayers for her loved ones.
Jenny was born in Deerfield, Kansas, she was the 12th child out of a total of 19 children. Her parents were father, Carlos Martinez and mother, Grace (Lopez) Martinez. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, infant son, Israel Rowland; daughter, Gigi Rowland and twelve siblings.
She leaves behind her husband of 32 years Antonio Parga; her sons, Lonnie Rowland & wife (Dee); Izzy Rowland & wife (Renee); and Orly Rowland; her daughters, Vera Rowland & friend (Terry) and Sophie Rowland. Along with Loretta Kitley, Mike Kiskaden and Jessica Martinez.
Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Brandon Rojas, Vanessa Rowland, Michael Kiskaden & wife (Vanessa), Zack Rowland, Nick Rowland, Hunter Rowland and Isiah Rowland. Including her cherished great grandchildren Taya, Isaiah, Christian, Valissa, J-La, Anaya, Bella, Ezra, and Luka, with one great-great grandchild, Asher.
She leaves six siblings, Salvador Martinez & wife (Lourdes) and Joyce Hernandez of from Wichita, KS; Luis Martinez & wife (Marilyn) of Oklahoma City, OK; Tony Martinez, Geneva Gonzales, Jesse Villanueva & wife (Ardella) of Garden City, KS.
Jenny had a passion for learning and love to read. Her family remembers how much she loved to cook and made fresh tortillas daily during their childhood even though she worked two jobs most of her life. She raised her children leading by example, showing a great work ethic, while having compassion for all. Jenny spent several years teaching at Headstart, a pre-school for toddlers. One niece remembers Jenny teaching her to perform a Mexican dance for a recital. Jenny was also a study hall teacher for the Garden City Junior High School. Children just seemed to migrate towards Jenny, not only children but families as well. At any given time at least one or two extra children would be staying at their home and sometimes entire families in need of a helping hand. When the need arose, Jenny always extended her loving arms. You would always find laughter when sitting around the kitchen table even during times of hardship. During summertime when school was out, she ran crew to work in the fields. Jenny could out work anyone on her crew, but still made time to help coach her children’s softball or be in the stands watching them. She loved sports, bowling, and later in life the casino and playing bingo. She would take her grandkids to bingo, had the eagle eye to watch 20-30 cards and telling each of them “pay attention,” when they missed a called number.
She was a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, mother, grandma, and friend to many.
And in closing, using Jenny’s words: “ I Love You More. “
There will be a viewing on Friday, February 25th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home. Funeral services to be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Saturday, February 26 at 1 PM, with a graveside service following at Valley View Cemetery.
Jenny was born in Deerfield, Kansas, she was the 12th child out of a total of 19 children. Her parents were father, Carlos Martinez and mother, Grace (Lopez) Martinez. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, infant son, Israel Rowland; daughter, Gigi Rowland and twelve siblings.
She leaves behind her husband of 32 years Antonio Parga; her sons, Lonnie Rowland & wife (Dee); Izzy Rowland & wife (Renee); and Orly Rowland; her daughters, Vera Rowland & friend (Terry) and Sophie Rowland. Along with Loretta Kitley, Mike Kiskaden and Jessica Martinez.
Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Brandon Rojas, Vanessa Rowland, Michael Kiskaden & wife (Vanessa), Zack Rowland, Nick Rowland, Hunter Rowland and Isiah Rowland. Including her cherished great grandchildren Taya, Isaiah, Christian, Valissa, J-La, Anaya, Bella, Ezra, and Luka, with one great-great grandchild, Asher.
She leaves six siblings, Salvador Martinez & wife (Lourdes) and Joyce Hernandez of from Wichita, KS; Luis Martinez & wife (Marilyn) of Oklahoma City, OK; Tony Martinez, Geneva Gonzales, Jesse Villanueva & wife (Ardella) of Garden City, KS.
Jenny had a passion for learning and love to read. Her family remembers how much she loved to cook and made fresh tortillas daily during their childhood even though she worked two jobs most of her life. She raised her children leading by example, showing a great work ethic, while having compassion for all. Jenny spent several years teaching at Headstart, a pre-school for toddlers. One niece remembers Jenny teaching her to perform a Mexican dance for a recital. Jenny was also a study hall teacher for the Garden City Junior High School. Children just seemed to migrate towards Jenny, not only children but families as well. At any given time at least one or two extra children would be staying at their home and sometimes entire families in need of a helping hand. When the need arose, Jenny always extended her loving arms. You would always find laughter when sitting around the kitchen table even during times of hardship. During summertime when school was out, she ran crew to work in the fields. Jenny could out work anyone on her crew, but still made time to help coach her children’s softball or be in the stands watching them. She loved sports, bowling, and later in life the casino and playing bingo. She would take her grandkids to bingo, had the eagle eye to watch 20-30 cards and telling each of them “pay attention,” when they missed a called number.
She was a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, mother, grandma, and friend to many.
And in closing, using Jenny’s words: “ I Love You More. “
There will be a viewing on Friday, February 25th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home. Funeral services to be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Saturday, February 26 at 1 PM, with a graveside service following at Valley View Cemetery.