Ida Jane Sowers

Ida Jane (McCallum) Sowers age 93 passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, November 3, 2021 at her home in Sunnyside, WA.

 Mom was born November 18, 1927 the oldest child of Daniel and Edith Anna (Templin) McCallum in Mabton, WA. She was later joined by her brothers Kenneth and Stanley.  Her early years were spent during the Depression when family was so important.  She often spoke of all the fun times she had with her younger brothers and cousins.  As she got older, she would climb a tree to hide from the boys to read a book in peace.

Mom attend the Mabton schools.  She spoke lovingly of many of her teachers. She graduated from the Mabton High School in 1946.  It was at one of the football games that she met her future husband, James Sowers.  He was on leave from the army and had come to the game with one of her classmates.  Her classmate thought it would be funny to stick mom with a pin. She thought it was James and proceeded to turn and slap him. After the confusion was straightened out, she thought he was a real gentleman.  That was the beginning of a romance that led to their marriage on August 15, 1947 in Sunnyside, WA.  She always felt that they were destined by God to meet and marry. 

Mom loved to garden passing this love down to all of us.  She planned and dad planted along with the rest of us.  When they moved out to Waneta Road in the 1980’s, the planning and planting got into full swing.  All together we planted over 300 roses, many perennials, shrubs, and trees. Her joy was to receive plants from us as gifts for birthdays and Mother’s Day.  Their place became the centerpiece for many family reunions, Sunday brunches, and weddings. 

Ida is survived by her daughters Dantha (Gary) Cole, Linda (Dennis) Desmarais, Karla Berglee, and Valerie (Thomas) Biehl. Grandchildren Lynn Devoe, James (Serena) Browning, Emily (David) Golladay, Nate (Dana) Biehl, Rebekah (Andy) Padgham, Daniel (Angela) Biehl, Lisa Desmarais, Landon (Katie) Berglee, Johanna (Todd) Sharpe, Seth Berglee, Caleb (Shayla) Biehl, Zechary (Michelle) Berglee, Abigail (Thomas) Hatch, and Ariel (David) Starcevich. Step grandchildren Brent (Susan) Cole and Lisa (Jay) McCauley. Thirty-six great grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. Her sister-in-laws Martha McCallum, Bobbie Sowers, Lorene Maxwell, and Nellie Wilkes, brother-in-law Dale (Ginny) Sowers, nieces and nephews and several cousins.  She was preceeded in death by her father Daniel McCallum and mother Edith McCallum, her husband of 56 years James, her brothers Kenneth and Stanley McCallum, son-in-law Clifton Berglee, grand-son-in-law Jim Devoe and great granddaughter Luna Hatch.

Viewing will be Friday, November 19, 2021 from 3pm to 8pm at Smith’s Funeral Home in Sunnyside. There will be a graveside service on Saturday November 20, 2021 at 1pm at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside.  Those wishing to sign Ida’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com  Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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