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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Rena E. Bowman
Rena E.
Bowman
July 1, 1918 – January 23, 2018
Rena E. Bowman's Obituary
Rena Eleanor Bowman, the daughter of William and Olga Petersan, was born July 1, 1918, in Pilger, NE. She passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Goldenrod Nursing Home in Clarinda, Iowa at the age of 99 years, 6 months and 22 days.
Rena was raised near Pilger, Nebraska. Her mother died when she was 10 during her brother's child birth in the "Great Depression" era. She took care of her sister Gene, the house and the laundry and learned to be frugal and hardworking. Rena went to college in Greeley, Colorado and taught 8 grades in one room at Valley, Nebraska. There she met her husband, Bob Bowman, and married Feb. 1, 1941. During WWII in New Jersey, Rena worked for the Army and had three children. In 1945 they moved to a farm in the Nyman area close to Red Oak, Iowa. Mom had a big garden and lots of sweet corn to husk and can. Now there were four children. Mom enjoyed being with their friends and relatives, having Bridge parties, going to dances and doing the Polka with dad. They went snow skiing with friends and took the family to the 1960 Winter Olympics at Lake Tahoe, Ca. She liked being at Lake Okoboji, Ia in the summers and later to Arizona in the winters.
Rena was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Lynn Bowman July 21, 2012, son Robert Lee Bowman, daughter Janet Lea Bright, sisters Evelyn Petersan, Genevieve Hinrichs-Schmitt, Eunice McDonald, Myrna Madison and Marilyn Franz, great grandson Cullen Bowman.
Rena is survived by three brothers: Melvin (Ann) Petersan of San Diego, Ca.; Donis (Marge) Petersan of Lincoln, Ne.; Douglas (Rayjean) Petersan of Bella Vista, Ark.; two children: Lynne Smith of Independence, Mo.; Steve Bowman of Red Oak, Ia.; six grandchildren: Brian Bowman (Mindy) Red Oak Ia.; Jennifer Reavis Vero Beach Fl.;Katie (Nick) Harris Boise, Id.; Zachary (Ericka) Bowman Omaha, Ne.; Jennifer Helmsletter (Jeremy Hogle) Overland Park Ks.; Jay Smith (Kayla) Kansas City Mo.; eleven great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, along with other relatives and friends.
May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Celebration of Life Service will be held
Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman, IA
Pastor Gordon Scott, Officiating
May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Celebration of Life Service will be held
Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman, IA
Pastor Gordon Scott, Officiating
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Services for Rena E. Bowman
Celebration of Life Service
April
21
Fremont Lutheran Church
Starts at 1:00 pm
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