Estella Ruth (Stowe) McVey

Estella Ruth was born on June 15, 1922, at Glen Flora, WI, to Bert and Vilda (Hansen) Stowe. She spent her early years learning about Jesus from her parents and gave her heart to him at a young age. Her father was a farmer and a lay minister and the family, now including a younger sister, spent several years on a farm near Hastings, MI, where she attended grade school. Her family moved to a farm south of Waukesha, WI, where she attended high school and after graduation went on to college at State Teacher’s in Milwaukee for two years, then transferred to Olivet Nazarene College (now University) in Bourbonnais, IL, where she earned her BA in education. On July 19, 1945, she married Rev. V.L. McVey. They spent nearly 57 years in several pastorates in four states together until his death in 2002.  Together they raised four children. She taught before and after her marriage until their second child arrived. When the youngest started school, she went back to teaching in elementary school in Michigan for twenty years. She was a nurturer and caregiver and spent much of her retirement years caring for her mother and several aunts in their final years.

Estella Ruth is now reunited with her family who led the way-parents, Bert and Vilda Stowe; infant brother, Robert; sister and brother-in-law, Esther and Rex Ganoe; son, John and wife Debbie; and sons-in-law, Michael Wray, Terry Barber, and Robert Bowden. She is survived by daughters, Peggy Bowden and Mary Barber; son, David (Deb) McVey; grandchildren, Danielle Arnold, Misty (Jose) Perez, Melissa (Jeff) Burkle, David Bowden, Kevin (Erin) Bowden, Andy (Dawn) and Chris (Kat) McVey; and “special granddaughter” Hannah Hansen; 12 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nephews, and a host of friends.

Visitation will take place on Friday, October 27, from 11:00 AM until 12 noon at Elo Church of the Nazarene, 1134 Williams Rd, Pickett, WI, 54964. A funeral service will follow the visitation at the church at 12 noon. Burial will take place at 3:00 PM at Hancock Cemetery, Waushara County, WI.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com