Monica Marie (Holland) Rowton
Monica Marie (Holland) Rowton, aka: “MeMo,” 86, (“15-1/2”) died March 15, 2026, with her daughter holding, at the Kearny County Hospital in Lakin.
She was born on Dec, 9, 1939, in Hutchinson to F.D. and Ruth Holland. They moved to Scott City in 1950.
She graduated from Scott Community High School in 1957.
One evening while cruising Main Street, she met a young man, Keith Rowton of Leoti, who would become the love of her life. Upon their engagement, Monica began saving silver dollars which she used to purchase her wedding dress.
On August 29, 1959, they were married at St Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City. As the two said their vows, Monica whispered, “For time and eternity,” which proved true until the day Monica died.
The two had an everlasting love that surpassed the promises said in their vows and everyone who knew them saw this.
After living in Scott City, they moved to Garden City so Keith could attend collegc. She worked as a telephone operator at St. Catherine Hospital and a secretary for KGLD TV.
On Oct. 19, 1961, they completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Kendra Renee.
They moved to Ulysses in October 1964. There, she worked at McCall Liquor Store as a clerk, being promoted to manager, until her husband was burned on Nov. 22, 1983.
She also managed Hillcrest Manor Trailer Court and for two years and drove Bus No. 13.
She was a strong, dedicated, determined, hardworking, loving and caring woman, who could be a tad sassy and stubborn as the day is long, in the best of ways. She loved helping people and also enjoyed doing yard work, planting flowers, etc.
When her husband was alive, they enjoyed camping and fishing as a family. She also enjoyed bowling and playing Buncos.
She was an avid shopper. Whether spending endless hours in Walmart or watching QVC, she was always determined to find just the right gift to make a person feel extra special.
She also loved a good deal and enjoyed attending garage sales, auctions, and the Kansas State Fair, which became a family tradition where she was known as the “Eagle Lady” as she proudly wore eagle rings.
She was artistic, creative and a great seamstress. Every year, she worked hard to create just the right floral arrangements for the graves of the loved ones that had gone before her.
She loved being with and doing things with her grandkids. She made numerous Halloween costumes without any patterns and made them look granddaughter’s eighth grade promotion dress.
She took her grandkids around town to sell various items for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H and Student Council.
To know her was to know love and blessings. Although she will be dearly missed every day, her love and legacy will live on in those who remain.
Monica is survived by her daughter, Kendra Euliss and husband, John, Ulysses; sisters, Frankie (Holland) Rowton and husband, Jim, Leoti, and Debbie (Holland) Bush and husband, Lance, Garden City; sister-in-law, Lyla (Rowton) Burch and husband, Les, Hartshorne, Okla.; granddaughter, Starla Burnum and husband, Douglas, Ulysses; grandson, Keith Euliss, Ulysses; great-grandson, Ethan Burnum, Ulysses; “adopted” sisters, Delores Mader and Charlene Bccht; “adopted” daughter, Pam (Mader) Ellis; “adopted” grandchildren, Jeremy Taylor, Tcsley (Taylor) Rupp, Monica Teeter, Airen Moon, Amanda Farmer-Hamilton, Kristi Kerst-Day, Adrienne (Annie) Rodriguez; and numerous others who callcd her Mc-Mo; her beloved 15-yearold fur baby, Kaidyn (L.B), along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her beloved husband, Keith, of almost 25 years preceded her in death on July 19, 1984. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two greatgrandbabics; twin baby brothers, Walter and Daniel Holland; nephew, Roy Rowton; brother-in-law, Kenneth Rowton; fatherin- law and mother-inlaw, George and Mary Rowton; sisters-in-law, Adeline Mays and Georgia Griem; nieces, Vicki Burch and Nancy Griem; and a nephew, Werner Burch.
Visitation will be at Garnand Funeral Home on Fri., March 27, 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., with family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Rosary will be Friday, March 27, 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home.
Funeral Mass will be March 28, 1:30 p.m., at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Ulysses, with Father Eric Gyamfi officiating.
Graveside scrvicc will be at 4:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Marienthal.
Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Furevcr Friends of Grant County Kansas, or Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Ks. 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.gamandfuneralhomes. authentic.
She also made a grass skirt and handmade lei for her grandson for a music program, as well as her com.