Louise Cowan

Elizabeth Louise Cowan, age 91, of Garnett, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at the Golden Heights Living Center in Garnett. Louise was born on January 11, 1920, northwest of Erie, Kansas, the daughter of Homer and Elsie Mae (Pugh) Romine. She graduated from Erie High School in 1938. She was united in marriage to Merle I. Raney on April 6, 1941 at Arkansas City, Kansas. To this union two children were born, a son Leland W. Raney and daughter Merla L. Raney. Merle passed away October 22, 1957 in Chanute, Kansas. Louise married James R. Cowan at the First United Methodist Church in Garnett, Kansas on December 15, 1963. He passed away on January 29, 1997 in Garnett, Kansas. Louise worked as a cashier for Donaldson's IGA in Chanute, Kansas for ten years, and then four years at Pence's IGA in Garnett. Louise then went to work for the City of Garnett as an accountant/cashier; after 17 years she retired in January 1985. Louise was a lifetime member of VFW Auxiliary #1654 Chanute, Kansas; she was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Garnett. She enjoyed traveling, making quilts and afghans for her family and friends. Louise loved to laugh, she never met a stranger and her wonderful sense of humor will be missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two loving husbands; and four brothers Wayne H., Junior K., Earl E., and Donald G. Romine. Louise is survived by son Leland W. Raney and wife Judy of Morris, Illinois; daughter Merla L. Harvey and husband James of Overland Park, Kansas; sister Phyllis J. Harding and husband Joe of Erie, Kansas; brother Dale L. Romine and wife Wanda of St. Charles, Missouri; two granddaughters, Helen E. (Beth) Pablo and husband Julius of Canton, Michigan; Jennifer E. Doumitt and husband Michael of Woodbridge, Virginia; one grandson Jeffrey S. Gibbs and wife Kristen of Kansas City, Missouri; two step-grandsons Stephen A. Gibbs of St. Joseph, Missouri; and James E. Harvey and wife Sarah of Hamilton, Missouri; three great-grandsons Ryan C. Gibbs, Ryan M. Pablo and Jacob D. Doumitt; two great-granddaughters Rachel E. Gibbs and Holly E. Doumitt; one step-great-granddaughter Courtney E. Bowman; two step-great-grandsons James T. Harvey and Christian P. Harvey of Hamilton, Missouri; four sisters-in-law Vivian L. Fink of Garnett, Kansas; Ivy M. Romine of Louisville, Kentucky; Edna M. Peck of Iola, Kansas; Dorothy Raney of Chanute, Kansas; and one brother-in-law Robert B. Mills of Manhattan, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 12, 2011, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas with the Pastor Gary Benjamin officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Cemetery, rural Erie, Kansas. The family will greet friends from 2:00-4:00 PM, Sunday at the funeral home in Garnett. Memorials may be made to the Garnett First Methodist Church, or to Hospice Care of Kansas.