Albert C Rowe

Albert Charles Rowe, age 97 of Wausau, and formerly of Minocqua, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2022, at Wausau Manor. Albert was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on June 24, 1925. He married Madelyn M. Hoeft on June 25, 1949. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of two children: Richard (Christine) Rowe and Nancy Panich.

In addition to his children, he is survived by two grandchildren: Jennifer (Mike Swartz) Cassiman and Amanda Rowe and two great grandchildren: Alyssa and Levi as well as two brothers Frank (Toni) Rowe and Tom (Margo) Rowe and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife Madelyn, brother Jerry Rowe and son-in-law Ed Panich.

Albert enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1942 one month after his 17th birthday and became part of the 1st Marine Division, 5th Battalion. Joining the Marine Corps was a proud moment and that pride remained strong his entire life.

As a World War 2 combat veteran, Albert saw action in such exotic tropical 'vacation' spots as Tarawa, Tinian, Saipan, Guam and Okinawa. During that time he served in combat for 32 straight months, with no furlough! Never sleeping in a real bed and rarely with any roof overhead the entire time. Combat deployment was quite different in those days!

When the war ended in early September 1945 most of the troops went back home, but his unit was deployed to China to eliminate the remaining Japanese resistance, repatriate American and Korean citizens who had been prisoners, and act as a buffer against the emerging Chinese communist movement.

It was 9 months after the war before he got back to the US. It took his ship 21 days to get from China to San Diego .. oh, and they had to sail through a typhoon!
Of course, he missed all the tickertape parades and hero’s welcomes that the other returning troops enjoyed after the war, but he was very excited to get his first ‘official’ hero’s welcome home while participating in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in April 2011.

Albert was truly a jack of all trades and master of MANY. During his civilian life he was an auto mechanic, a skilled machinist, and most notably a policeman for the city of Wausau, starting as a beat cop, motorcycle cop, and finishing his law enforcement career as a detective.

In 1981 Albert and Madelyn retired to the home they had been building for several years in the Minocqua, Wisconsin area. They truly loved their retirement ‘up north’ and were active members of the Northwoods community for many years.

Albert enjoyed hunting, fishing (especially ice fishing), and he and Madelyn were active together with biking, gardening, ballroom dancing and both were heavily involved with the American Legion in Minocqua. They made many life-long friends in retirement.

While looking for new things to keep himself busy, Albert developed a passion for working with stained glass. He became a true stained-glass artist in his retirement and made many Tiffany lamps, miniature houses, stained glass windows, and countless other works of art.

Memorial Gathering for Albert will be held on Thursday, July 7th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI with a Memorial Service at 11:00 am followed by military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Madsen-Empey American Legion Post 89, Minocqua, WI 54548 or Never Forgotten Honor Flight Make your checks out to: Never Forgotten Honor Flight and mail to: 225780 Rib Mountain Drive #234, Wausau, WI 54401 or on-line at https://cfoncw.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1412

Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com

NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY


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