Terry A. Rowe

Terry Allyn Rowe, 87, of Lexington, passed away April 25, 2025 at the Lexington Regional Hospital after battling illness due to “long covid”. 

Born January 14,1938 in Lexington to Theodore and Wilma (Keller) Rowe. Terry's first passion, other than Betty, was agriculture. Terry spent his youth working on the family farm and attending country schools near Darr. An active member of 4-H, Terry earned many awards showing sheep at county and state fairs and was especially successful at Aksarben shows in Omaha. He was on the county judging team that earned the opportunity to compete at the state level. He graduated from Cozad High School in 1957. He joined the Army Reserves then came home to farm. Not long after, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Berryman, on July 25, 1959, and together they made their home south of Lexington. 

Terry began farming with an FHA loan on two quarters of land including a house rented from his uncle. As their farm grew, so did their family- welcoming Tim in 1960, Tammi in 1961, and Angie in 1964. In 1968, Terry won the Lexington Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award and in 1969 won the State of Nebraska award. In 1974, Governor Exon honored Terry’s family during the Nebraska Agricultural Progress Recognition Conference for their outstanding contributions to production agriculture. Over the years, he and his family were awarded the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce First Outstanding Farm Family of the Year award (1981). In 2001 Terry was named as an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska (the state’s highest civic honor) and in 2012 he was inducted into the Nebraska Cooperation Hall of Fame. 

Terry was actively involved in the Lexington community. He was involved in the early years of the Lexington Spare Rib Club and served on the board of the First Christian Church as a deacon. He was on the District 4 School Board as President, Lexington Co-op Board (1973 - 2001), Nebraska Co-op Council Board (1994-1999, 2000-2001), Federal Land Bank Board of Directors (1981-1987), FHA Board, Central Water Users Board, and on the Cozad State (Homestead Bank) board of directors for over 20 years. He also enjoyed his investment club meetings. 

When Terry did take some time off, he loved spending time with friends and family on their boat or out west on ski trips. He passed his love of 4-H down to his children as he participated with them in the Dawson County and Nebraska State fairs showing hogs. Additionally, the horses on their farm were not just for rounding up cattle. Terry helped all three kids show the horses in 4-H and local shows. 

In retirement, Terry and Betty took the time to travel, notably to Panama and the Mediterranean. They also spent time attending their grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities. 

Terry and Betty were season ticket holders for Nebraska volleyball for 24 years. They made lifelong friends with the people that sat close to them in section B213 at the "Bob”. 

Terry believed in the power of a good conversation, a well-timed joke, and the importance of showing up for the people you love. We’ll miss his stories and the way he could make any gathering feel like home. Heaven's coffee group just got a whole lot rowdier.

Survivors include his loving wife, Betty of Lexington; son, Tim (Susan) Rowe of rural Lexington and daughter, Angela (Jim) Dittmer of Crete; son-in-law, Erv (Lorri) Warner of Arapahoe; grandchildren, Skyler (Curtis) Roemmich of Lexington, Dylan (Paige) Rowe of rural Lexington, Tanner Rowe of Starkville, Mississippi, Lauren (Konrad) Anderson of Franklin, Emily Dittmer of Longmont, Colorado, Annisa (fiancé Alex Droge) of Omaha and Will Dittmer of Omaha; great-grandchildren, Cayson, Ryken, and Dreyton Roemmich, Tammi and Randi Anderson and Paxley Rowe; brothers, Gayle (Johnnie) Rowe of Cozad, and Douglas (Renee) Rowe of Cozad, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Wilma Rowe; father-in-law, Virgil Berryman; mother-in-law, Geraldene (Carroll) Berryman; daughter, Tammi Rowe Warner; brothers-in-law, Jim Berryman, Bill Berryman, and Richard Berryman; sister-in-law, Janet Thompson; nieces, Sandra Thompson, Amy Berryman and Nickie Rowe Fowler.

Funeral Services will be on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the LexChristian Church with Pastor Dave Leraaen, officiating.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, LexChristian Church or the Grand Generation Center.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com