Seth Rowse, of Webster City, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2017. UC is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

“At first, the doctors tried some maintenance medications to try to put it in remission and they worked for a little while but ultimately it ended up failing so the only option at that point was this surgery,” Rowse said.

The surgery, called a proctocolectomy, removes the patient’s entire colon and rectum to eliminate ulcerative colitis. Rowse had to have three surgeries to complete the procedure, with the final surgery happening on Sept. 11.

Throughout these three surgeries, Rowse, who works at Tasler Inc., has used all this available sick leave and vacation time.

“It’s been tough because I’ve had to miss some work, so it’s been tough,” Rowse said. “But luckily, my employer, they’ve been really good about everything and they’ve been willing to work with me.”

Because of the work Rowse has had to miss, as well as the work his wife, Mindy Rowse, has had to miss at Webster City Day Care, Trinity Lutheran Church is hosting two benefit dinners to raise money to go toward Seth Rowse’s medical bills and the family’s household costs.

The first benefit will be Oct. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. in the social hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1229 Kathy Ln. The meal will be a pasta bar with spaghetti and chicken alfredo, lettuce salad, cheese bread, bars, coffee and lemonade. No reservations are needed for this benefit.

The second benefit will be a brunch on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reservations are needed by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Reservations can be made by calling the church office at 832-2220.

A free will offering from both dinners will benefit the Rowse family.

Seth Rowse is deeply appreciative of the support from the church and the community.

“We can’t thank them enough,” he said. “They’re really helping us out.”

The family is originally from the Twin Cities area and aren’t accustomed to having members outside their family be concerned for them.

“It makes us really happy to be members of the church and really proud to be members of the community,” Seth Rowse said. “We really appreciate the kindness from the members of the church and from the community.”