Sherri Jane Rowe Croxford

Sherri Jane Rowe Croxford was called home unexpectedly, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, at the age of 73. Her wishes were to be cremated and returned to Mother Earth. A brief open-house took place in West Point, Utah, on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, and a memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at her final resting place in the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Riverview Cemetery.

On Dec. 17, 1946, Sherri Jane Rowe was the first of four children born to Ted Rowe and Constance Cooper in Bozeman, Mont. She was raised on her family’s 10,000-acre sheep ranch in Norris, Mont., where she and her cousins were as close as siblings.

At 10 years old, her family moved to Kent, Wash., for four years to follow her father’s career. At age 14, her family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, which became home.

Memories of water skiing behind her dad’s boat, swimming and enjoying the Coeur d’Alene Lake always called to her. In the early mornings, she would launch off the dock on skis, parade around the lake, then hop back on the dock just in time to take out her curlers and rush off to work. She loved the water.

She graduated high school in Coeur d’Alene and received advanced education from North Idaho College and graduated with her teaching degree from the University of Idaho. Sherri taught elementary education for some time and was quickly swept off her feet and married to Dennis N. Croxford, in July of 1971, and then resided in Great Falls, Mont.

Sherri loved children and always dreamed of being a mother. In 1974, Sherri became a mother to a son. Twin daughters followed in 1975, a third daughter in 1976 and a fourth daughter in 1978 — Sherri was a mother of five children all under 5 years of age. In 1981, Sherri completed her family with one more son, having a total of six children (four girls and a boy at each end). Through her life, Sherri never took a break from being a compassionate and loving mother of six.

Her divorce in November of 1989 sent her back home the following year to Coeur d’Alene. She stayed in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding areas until 2008, when she ventured to Arizona and became involved in teaching once again. She lived with her dearest friends, Vicki and Jerry Sundell, for three years until she had the opportunity to play grandma full-time. From 2009 to 2020, Sherri lived in Utah and witnessed her family’s growth to 13 grandkids.

Sherri was everything a mother/homemaker could be. She gave everything she had and everything she was to her kids and grandkids. She nurtured, taught, sacrificed and suffered with and for her kids. That is the legacy she would want to be known by.

Sherri was very committed to her spiritual growth and had a strong faith in God and the Angels. She was always striving to be like Christ. She was a seeker of truth and loved sharing her vast knowledge with anyone who would listen. Other passions she held were teaching, art and painting, collecting rocks and crystals, gardening, flowers and nature, and connecting with her vast network of friends that reached worldwide. Her prayers would make a hot meal cold as she would express gratitude and love for God’s simplest touches on her life.

Sherri was reunited with her parents, Ted and Connie Rowe, and she was survived by her two sons, Jason and James, and four beautiful daughters: JeniLynn, JuliAnn, JamiSue, and Jessica, who possess her sincerity and conviction for finding all that is good in people and in life.

Sherri would often remind herself and all of us, “I say yes to life, and life says yes to me.”

Sherri survived her two witty brothers, Ron and Brad, and her beautiful sister, Beverly, whom she cherished. Grandma Sherri was survived by 10 grandchildren: Cinchia, Evan, Dylan, Owen, Emma, Blake, Ezra, Ainsley, Ivy and Sophia, and three step-grandchildren; George, Lyle and Lily.

Sherri was first a mother and grandmother, but was always a friend. Where she lacked size, she made up for with sincerity and love. Everyone was a friend. Everyone was welcome. She always called everyone “Dear-heart,” as she had this ability to “see” people for who they were.

Sherri is loved, missed, and is in our hearts always and forever. Till we meet, again, Mom, our love is with you forever.

Arrangements by Yates Funeral Home. Please visit Sherri’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.