----Source: Tribune-Record-Gleaner (Loyal, Wis.) 04/23003

Bowman, Sharon Ruth (24 JUN 1951 - 20 Apr 2003)

Sharon R. Bowman, 51, Loyal, formerly of Eyota, Minn., died on Sunday, April 20, 2003, at the House of the Dove, Marshfield, after a long battle with cancer. Visitation will be held from 5-9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, on Wednesday, April 23, at Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 24, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Loyal. The Rev. Roman Kaiser will officiate. Burial will be at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery, Eyota, Minn. Pallbearers will be Mike Hayes, Walter Graf, Roger Helm, Doug Kirchner, Melvin Abel and Rick Holt. Honorary pallbearers will be Terrie Holt, Mary Graf, Mary Lou Kirchner, Nancy Abel, Diana Hayes, Caroline Helm and Patty Rinka.

Sharon Ruth Bernhardt was born on June 24, 1951, in Wabasha, Minn., to Norton and Beatrice (nee Fehlhafer) Bernhardt. She was raised and educated in Eyota, Minn., and graduated from Dover-Eyota High School in 1969. She attended Rochester Vocational Tech and studied to be a medical secretary. After completing her training, she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minn. She married Timothy Bowman on Aug. 19, 1971, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Eyota. She then worked at Mayo Clinic and farmed with her husband near Eyota until 1980. They then moved to Loyal and purchased a farm. She then worked for Security Health, Marshfield, and attended technical school in Marshfield to obtain an insurance license. After her husband died on Jan. 3, 1991, she moved into Loyal and continued to work at Security Health. She retired in January due to ill health. She and her husband were members of the Jaycees in Minnesota and Wisconsin and received Jaycee Outstanding Young Farmer awards in both states. Her interests included camping and fishing.

Survivors include two sons, Jeremy Bowman, Milwaukee, and Jason Bowman, Stevens Point; and two sisters, Connie (Kevin) Hammel, Eyota, and Marlis (Jerry) Knowlton, Eyota.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tim, and her parents.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.