Rowena Strode Sooter, 91, of Springfield, Mo., joined her Father in Heaven on February 6, 2009, at 7:05 a.m. She was born December 15, 1917, in Ft. Scott, Kansas, to C.W. Strode, DVM and Mary Lovisa Wheeler Strode. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mariam Strode, and Lillian Strode North English; and her brothers, Wayne and Thomas Strode. At an early age, Rowena moved with her family to Ash Grove, Mo. After high school she attended Drury College followed by Burge Hospital School of Medical Technology and was their first graduate. In 1946, she married Edward Eugene Sooter, who survives her of the home. She is also survived by three daughters, Connie Foster and husband, Ron, Jeanie Reynolds of Springfield and Jane Waller, DVM and husband, Wendell of Nelson; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Rowena worked at St. John's Hospital for many years while raising her family, and later retired from The American Red Cross in Springfield. She was a member and past president of PEO chapter FT, and was a member of Second Baptist Church. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2009, in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, officiated by the Reverend John Edie of Second Baptist Church, followed by burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday evening, February 8, 2009, in the funeral home. The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the staff at The Gardens, Special Care Unit, Springfield, and Community Hospice of Springfield, for their care of Rowena and all their kindness for her family.