Rowena DeFazio

Rowena DeFazio, age 83, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Westwood Nursing Home in Sioux City. Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, May 21, 2015, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sioux City. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 20, 2015, from 4 PM to 8 PM at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, where the family will be present from 6 PM to 8 PM and a Vigil Service will be held at 7 PM. Interment will be held at a later date in Calvary Cemetery. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Rowena L. DeFazio, daughter of Albert and Clara (Baker) Desy, was born February 6, 1932, in Sioux City, Iowa. She grew up in Sioux City where she attended Leeds Elementary and graduated from West High School. On June20, 1949, Rowena was united in marriage with Anthony DeFazio in Sioux City. Rowena worked as a nurse's aide at St. Vincent Hospital, Zenith Wincharger and in the cafeteria at St. Luke's Hospital. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Rowena loved animals and was a great supporter of the Humane Society and the ASPCA. She had a bird feeder and enjoyed identifying the birds and watching other wildlife. She had a knack for cooking, enjoyed traveling, and cherished the time spent with her family. Rowena is survived by: her husband Anthony DeFazio of Sioux City; Four daughters: Christine (Louis) Muratore of Carson City, NV; Antoinette Boschker of Sioux City; Pamela (Terry) Smith of Sioux City and Cindy (Gordon) Erickson of Sioux City; a sister Marilyn Desy; a brother Marvin Desy; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Phil, Fred, Michael and Marlin Desy; and two sisters Dorothy Fortune and Martha Anderson.