Rowena Laabs

Rowena Dale (Smith) Craig/Swope/Laabs

Rowena, 78, passed away on January 4, 2017 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She was born October 5, 1938 in Deming, New Mexico to Orville Ward and Pearl Walker.

Survivors include her daughter, Melissa Mackechnie of Tularosa NM, her grandaughter and husband, Caitlyn and Luke Towner, great grandchildren Cameron Feliciano and Veda Towner, all of Tularosa, NM. She is also survived by her sister and husband, Kay Beth and Charles Stavley of May, Texas. Step-sisters Linda Calvert and husband Don and Lou Ann Patterson and husband Tracy of Artesia, NM. Step-brother Bill Siegenthaler and wife Sharon of Medford, OR. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many good friends.

Rowena was preceded in death by her husband James (Scottie) Craig and her children Derrick and Kathryn Craig. She was also preceded by her mother, Pearl Siegenthaler, step-father William M. Siegenthaler of Artesia, NM and her special Aunt "Momma" Kate Smith of Deming, NM.

Rowena was active throughout her life in numerous organizations, some of those to include many rodeo associations, New Mexico Appaloosa Horse Club, Adobe Daubers artist group, Tularosa Chamber of Commerce, 4-H Horsemanship Leader, Ruth Chapter No.6 Order of the Eastern Star, Tularosa Village Historical Society and was a founding member and volunteer with the Flickenger Guild.

A celebration of Rowena's life will be held on February 3, 2017 at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home at 11:00 am. A gathering of friends and family will follow to share stories and memories and to celebrate the amazing life she lived at Patron's Hall, 1106 New York Ave. Rowena requested that her family and friends wear bright colors in keeping with a celebration of joy. Her ashes will be scattered at the red rocks in Thoreau, NM at a later date.

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Flickenger Center for Performing Arts, Alamogordo Animal Control or an Animal Rescue Group of your choice.

The family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home to direct the funeral services. To sign the online register book, please visit www.hamiltonodell.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rowena Laabs, please visit our floral store.