Claudine Marie Summers was born on December 28, 1929 at Doniphan, Nebraska, the second of four children born to Paul and Faye Summers. She grew up on a farm near Doniphan and attended Wood River High School graduating in 1947. She was involved in several high school activities, serving as Class President her junior year, as well as drama, Pep Club, G. A. A. and yearbook stuff. Among her 19 classmates, she was one of six to complete the Normal Training curriculum which qualified her to pursue a teaching career.
Her first teaching position was in the one room schoolhouse of Elm Island District #72 in Buffalo County from 1947-1949. Her third and final year of teaching was in 1949-1950 in District #1 in Lowell Nebraska. Among Claudine’s fondest memories was attending the annual teacher’s conference in Lincoln when she was able to socialize with other teachers. Former students described “Miss Summers” as “very young” , “very pretty” , “sweet and kind” and recalled how all her students “just loved her.”
Claudine married her high school classmate Bernard Rowley on June 7, 1950 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. They were blessed with eight children as the family resided in Loup City and Fremont, finally settling in Lincoln. Claudine passed away on June 28, 2017.
Claudine’s family grew to include 26 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Watching her family grow and spending time with the younger generations was one of Claudine’s greatest joys.
Claudine’s teaching legacy inspired a new generation of teachers, with five of her granddaughters earning teaching degrees, and several currently in classrooms in Nebraska and Colorado.
Her first teaching position was in the one room schoolhouse of Elm Island District #72 in Buffalo County from 1947-1949. Her third and final year of teaching was in 1949-1950 in District #1 in Lowell Nebraska. Among Claudine’s fondest memories was attending the annual teacher’s conference in Lincoln when she was able to socialize with other teachers. Former students described “Miss Summers” as “very young” , “very pretty” , “sweet and kind” and recalled how all her students “just loved her.”
Claudine married her high school classmate Bernard Rowley on June 7, 1950 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. They were blessed with eight children as the family resided in Loup City and Fremont, finally settling in Lincoln. Claudine passed away on June 28, 2017.
Claudine’s family grew to include 26 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Watching her family grow and spending time with the younger generations was one of Claudine’s greatest joys.
Claudine’s teaching legacy inspired a new generation of teachers, with five of her granddaughters earning teaching degrees, and several currently in classrooms in Nebraska and Colorado.