Obit: Bowerman, Ruby E. (1929 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bowerman, Larson, Hanson, Nelson, Macke, Call, Mahoney, McPherson

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 4/21/2010

Bowerman, Ruby E. (7 June 1929 – 14 April 2010)

Ruby E. (Hanson) Bowerman, 80, of Springfield, MO, formerly of Lansing, MI, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2010. She was born June 7, 1929, at home on a farm in the Town of Garden Valley near Alma Center to Edward and Esther (Larson) Hanson.

Ruby attended the nearby Leverett School for eight years, graduated as valedictorian of her class from Alma Center high School in 1946, then attended three years at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN. She worked for a while, together with her sister Eunice, at a yo-yo factory in Luck where their brother Arnold Hanson pastored. Later she attended one year at Minneapolis Nursing School and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Eau Claire and went on to obtain her Master of Arts degree from Northern Michigan University.

She married Allen J. Bowerman Aug. 4, 1962, in Alma Center. She was a school teacher, wife and mother.

Ruby attended Evangel Temple Assembly of God in Springfield, MO, and was a member of the Evangel University Ladies Auxiliary. She was a volunteer camp counselor and was active in church service and leadership.

She enjoyed reading, photography, family and traveling. She and Allen literally traveled the world. A special delight for her was in 1996 when they visited Norway from which her father had immigrated and Sweden where she saw her grandparents’ original homes and met relatives still living in Sweden.

Ruby was faithful in recognizing the birthdays and anniversaries of her family and friends with cards and often with phone calls.

For many years, Allen’s mother lived with them when they were in Lansing. Ruby was a dedicated and cheerful caregiver for her mother-in-law.

Ruby was a happy, energetic person with a bright smile who always saw the positive side of things. She loved the Lord supremely and never wavered in her trust that the Lord had all things under control.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Esther Hanson; brothers: Melvin, Edward, Arnold and David (infant); and sister Ruth Nelson.

She is survived by her husband, Allen Bowerman; children: Kevin (Christie) Bowerman and Karen Bowerman; three grandchildren: Daniel, Benjamin and Adeline Bowerman; brothers: Donald, Clifford and Clarence; sisters: Esther Macke, Eunice Call, Ethel Mahoney and Bonnie McPherson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and close friends.

Visitation was held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East, Springfield, MO. The funeral service was held at Evangel Temple, April 18, 2010, at 2;30 p.m. with visitation preceding from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A graveside service was held at 9 a.m. April 19, 2010, at Greenlawn memorial Gardens, Springfield.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 421, Springfield, MO 65808.