Rowena Laverne Hutson (101) of Newton

Rowena LaVerne Hutson, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:06 AM - Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Newton Care Center in Newton, Illinois.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM – Saturday, February 17 at the Riverside Cemetery in Newton, Illinois, with Pastor Amy Jeffries officiating. In loving memory of Rowena, memorials may be made to the Newton Women’s Club and can be sent c/o Shirley Hoffeditz 11870 East 810th Avenue Newton, Illinois 62448. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.

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Rowena was born in Newton, Illinois, the daughter of Isaac William Hutson and Lora Belle (Batman) Huston on June 17, 1916. She had one sister, Virginia Carpenter, who lived in Ventura, California. Rowena attended Newton Grade School and graduated in 1934 from Newton Community High School with honors of Valedictorian of her class. For the next four years she was Deputy Country Treasurer of Jasper County. Also, she served as Township School Treasurer for several years. When the Norris Electric Cooperative was organized, Rowena was employed as general office clerk. She was promoted to Bookkeeper, then Office Manager and Administrative Assistant.  She was required to take courses and attend workshops and seminars on Accounting, Insurance, Taxes, Office Management, Data Processing, etc. In 1973, she helped install the Cooperative’s on-premise computer that was the first computer installed in Jasper County. In August 1985, during the 50th Anniversary of Rural Electrification, Rowena was recognized as one of the Pioneers of Rural Electrification at the annual meeting of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. Rowena was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Newton and for many years was Sunday School Pianist. She was a member of the Newton’s Woman’s Club. Rowena was a charter member of the Newton Business and Professional Women’s Club and has held many offices, and attended several State and National Conventions. She was the club president 1974-1975, District Chairman 1975-1976, and served as Foundation Chairman of the Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Woman’s Clubs in 1976-1977. She liked music, flowers, and traveling. She has collected paper weights and colored glass over the years. On her 100th Birthday, a little Filly was born and she named her Holly.

Rowena was preceded in death by her parents, Lora and Isaac Hutson, sister and brother-in- law, Virginia and Paul Carpenter, nephew, Gary Carpenter and her great nephew, Robert Betts.

Rowena is survived by: Niece - Judy (Chuck) Betts of Pagosa Spring, Colorado; Niece-in-law - Ellen Carpenter of Ventura, California; Great nieces - Susan (Ron) Hawks, Leslie (Tom) Henley, Christine (Aaron) Beck and Carrie (Steve) Wilson; Nephew - David (Sara) Carpenter and Great-Great Nieces and Nephews -  Ryan (Lyndsey) Arndt, Allison Betts, Garrett Arndt, Nick Betts, Samantha Henley, Cailey Carpenter, Danielle Henley, Alexis Beck, and Markus Beck; Great-Great-Great Niece Nephew - Ali and Tripp Arndt.

Although Rowena never had children of her own, she was surrounded by tons of love.