Geraldine Lawson Bowen (1911-2006)

BOWEN, LAWSON

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 5/27/2006 at 10:16:58

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday May 26, 2006.

Geraldine Lawson Bowen, a long time resident of Ames, died in her sleep in the early morning hours of her 95th birthday Tuesday, May 23, at the Long Term Care Unit of the Story County Medical Center in Nevada. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Hotel at Gateway Center in Ames with her ashes to be spread at the family farm near Exira.

Born May 23, 1911, in her family farm house near Oakland to Oscar and Nellie Lawson, she was the fourth of six siblings, four girls and two boys, and the last to survive. She also was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Erle; one son, Bruce; and one grandson, Joshua.

She is survived by three sons: Samuel (Phyllis) of Chicago, Jerold (Valrae) of Los Angeles and Mace of Salt Lake City; three grandsons; three great-grandchildren;one niece and one nephew.

She graduated from Oakland High School in 1928 and attended Simpson College from 1929-32, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1934. She taught English in Underwood High School from 1934-36 and Sutherland High School from 1936-37 before becoming a full-time homemaker. She was known for her irresistible home baked bread and cinnamon rolls and her talent for knitting afghans to sweaters, crocheting intricate patterns and sewing clothes for her young boys. In 1951, she was named an Honorary Mother of Iowa.

The family lived in Harlan, Centerville, Fairfield and lastly Ames. After her husband died in 1967, she returned to work, first as a librarian at Iowa State University and later with the city of Ames public library.

During her life, she was active in the PTA, PEO, TTT and the WSCS circle. She had a passion for music and literature, was a voracious reader of history and foreign affairs and was an artist working with stained glass. She maintained her ties to her farming heritage as a steward of the land she inherited from her family farm. She also was a beloved mentor and role model to countless young women she befriended during her years as an educator and librarian.

She was humble to a fault and proud beyond reason of her off-spring. A family matriarch like no other who mothered to the end with these final words, "Take care of each other."

In lieu of cards or flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Geraldine Bowen memorial at Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

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