Clara Bowes 1909-2002

BOWES, MUELLER, PETER, ATKINSON, WITCRAFT

Posted By: David Hellwege (email)
Date: 6/30/2006 at 07:24:05

Clara Bowes, a resident of the Eastern Star Masonic Home, Boone, and formerly of 812 12th St., Boone, died Monday at the home of complications from surgery. She had been a resident of the home for the past seven months. She was born Sept. 2, 1909,in Harrison Township, the daughter of Herman and Louise (Mueller) Peter. She married John Dwight Bowes Nov. 6, 1928.

She was baptized in October of 1909 and was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dodge Township in 1923. She attended St. Paul's parochial country school through eighth grade. After her older brothers began working on the farm, she, as the oldest of four sisters, drove the buggy and sleigh to school as well as learning to do household and farm chores, including baking and helping care for the family. At age 17, she began to hire out as a domestic in numerous Boone families with newborns and/or parental illnesses. She was an active lifetime member of St. Paul and Trinity Lutheran Church congregations. She was a member of Trinity PTA while her children were growing up and was a member of Trinity Women's Guild. Her hobbies included caring for their property and the congregation and school grounds. She also enjoyed walking to town to shop, growing outdoor flowers, butterflies, lace, ribbons and family, home and church life.

She was preceded in death by parents; her husband; two brothers, Willy and Arnold; two sisters, Esther and Ada; two sons-in-law; and two grandsons. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Joan Bowes of San Jose, CA and Fred and Ruth Bowes of Boone; two daughters, Norma Atkinson of Reno, NV and Sharon Witcraft of Boone; one sister, Irma Davis of DePere, WI; 18 grandchildren, Kathryn, David, Thomas, James (Woody), Julie, Ronda, Susan and Sonja of Boone, Robert and Nancy of San Jose, CA, Marsha of Huntington Beach, CA, and Michael, Richard, Charles, Pam, Debbie, Donald and Sherry of Reno/Sparks, NV and California; and several counsins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Linwood Park Cemetery.

Friends may call at Schroeder-Walter Funeral Home, 503 Story St., Boone, Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. The family will be present to receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Visitation continues Friday at the church from 9 a.m. until time of services.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or to the family.

Schroeder-Walter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

[Source: Boone News-Republican via the WWW.]