Wilma V Bowers Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Wilma Viola Bowers went to be with the Lord after passing unexpectedly on Saturday June 5, 2021. Wilma, the fifth of five daughters (Alma Beck, Hazel Bowen, Ruth Biggs, Mildred McKee, and Wilma) was born on October 19, 1926, to William and Nancy (Wasson) Hartman in Hillsdale, Oklahoma. She attended elementary school in the Lacy School District and attended her final 8 years in the Hillsdale School District, graduating in 1944. She went to one year of college at Phillips University and shortly after Wilma followed her sister Alma’s family to Washington State where they were doing “essential work” in the apple industry during World War II. It was here Wilma met Larry Bowers who was working as an orchard foreman. Larry and Wilma were married on March 9, 1946, and together they had four children, Dian Bowers Varela (Lupe), Larry Bowers (Carol), Janet Bowers Tolzin (Keith), and Brad Bowers (Jeanette). Wilma sorted and packed apples for eight years while her children were young, and Larry worked for the Washington State Highway Department. In the early years, the family lived in Mansfield where Wilma took the postal exam and became the assistant postmaster. In 1963 Larry was transferred to Chelan and Wilma took a position as the superintendent’s secretary, where she remained for 11 years. By 1974, all four of Wilma and Larry’s children had graduated from Chelan High School and the highway department promoted Larry to a supervisor’s position in Omak, Washington. Larry later became district highway superintendent and during this time Wilma was employed by Wenatchee Valley College in the fiscal office on the satellite campus in Omak. After retiring, Wilma and Larry spent a great deal of time traveling with the Good Sam Club making many lifelong friends in Arizona. Larry passed away from colon cancer in 1988. During her time in Arizona Wilma was introduced to Merle Hove from Boone, Iowa. Merle and Wilma were married in 1990. They spent the next several years square dancing, traveling, and enjoying each other’s families. Merle and Wilma traveled through much of the United States and especially enjoyed their cruises, including a square dance cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. In 1998 while returning to Chelan for the summer, Merle passed away while Wilma was driving. Wilma courageously contacted help and returned to Chelan. In the year 2000 Wilma returned to Arizona and was introduced to Jim Vetch. Both Jim and Wilma loved to travel, and they were married in May of 2000. They took 8 cruises in the five years they were together and due to long term poor health, Jim passed away in January of 2006. Wilma continued to travel to Arizona for the next several years and enjoyed sharing the summers with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most recently, Wilma moved from Chelan to Wenatchee where she lived at Colonial Vista by Prestige. Once again, she made many good friends and she liked to say that “no grass grew under her feet.” Wilma was an active member of the Prestige community spending time playing cards, tossing bean bags, and she was the Wii Bowling champ on more than one occasion. During her life, love of God and family were of primary importance to Wilma. She was a member of the Little Stone Church in Chelan and active in church at Prestige. Wilma loved sports and spent much of her life watching her children and grandchildren engage in athletics. She was also very proud of the accomplishments of each of her family members. Before her passing she wrote down four things that were important to her including: 1. To be obedient and truthful 2. To be considerate of others 3. To be kind to everyone, and 4. To use the bible as a guideline. She concluded with Psalms 19 and 21; “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord my strength, and my redeemer. Services for Wilma will be held on July 10, 2021 with time and location to be determined. The family requests donations in Wilma's name be sent to the Chelan Senior Center, 534 E. Trow Ave., Chelan, Wa. 98816.

Tributes

Wilma V Bowers

October 19, 1926 - June 5, 2021