Jo Ann Rowland, 74, formerly of East Moline, went home to our Lord on September 9, 2010 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. From the time she was diagnosed in 2004, she was fond of saying that she was in a win-win situation. "If the cancer took her home to Jesus or if she was able to stay here with her family and friends, she was a winner either way". Jo Ann was born on January 31, 1936 in Kewanee, IL to Chester and Loretta David. Upon graduating from Kewanee High School, she married Sherman Robert Rowland, also of Kewanee. Soon after her husband began his service in the US Army, along with being a devoted military wife, Jo Ann served our country as a civil servant. She served in multiple locations including overseas, the Presidio of San Francisco and the Rock Island Arsenal, where she ultimately retired in 1996. Jo Ann was recognized numerous times throughout her career for her exemplary service. Most notably, she earned the highest honor given to a civilian during Operation Desert Storm in 1990. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, IL, served for 4 years as a hospice volunteer and was devoted to her family, friends, and pets. Her early passions included riding and training equestrian horses as well as participated in rodeo barrel racing. Later in life she developed a love of oil painting. Jo Ann was preceded in death by both parents and her only brother, Larry. She is survived by her husband and their three sons (Michael of Charleston SC; David of St Louis, MO; and Steven of Arlington Heights, IL; along with her step son James of Bamberg Germany. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law and her nieces and nephews. Her friends and family will remember her on Monday September 13 at 11:00AM at Van Hoe Funeral Home at 1500 6th Street in East Moline IL. Her burial service will take place immediately following at Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00AM Prior to services. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Children's Make A Wish Foundation in her memory. (www.wishes.org) Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com