Betty Lou Bowman

Bette Bowman, age 91, passed away in Twin Falls on January 28, 2016.

Bette was born in Bend, Oregon, on May 4, 1924 to Owen and Pearl Smith. After graduating from Bend High School, she and older sister Ruth moved to Seattle, taking jobs with Boeing Aircraft. During this time, she met her future husband, Ed Bowman, a naval hospital apprentice, on a blind date. They married on January 5, 1945.

After their ceremony, Ed and Bette moved to southern Idaho, settling south of Wendell in 1946. Beginning mostly from scratch, the two developed 200 acres of irrigated farm ground and built a successful sheep operation, lambing there in the winter and summering the band on their ranges in Copper Basin and near Craters of the Moon. They retired in 1989 and moved to Jerome.

In addition to the busy lifestyle of farming and ranching, Bette raised four children and grew a garden as large as a city lot, canning what her family couldn't eat during harvest. She also managed to make many blankets and worked seasonally at the Green Giant for twenty years. She put her heart in providing for her family while asking for little.

It wasn't just Bette's family that benefited from her hard work and moral character. She was a humble philanthropist, donating to various charities, and helping the less fortunate. If she passed a homeless person, chances were good she'd return with a hot sandwich or bag of food. To comfort the victim of a serious car accident, she once rode in an ambulance holding the hand of a stranger. Bette would help anyone but was particularly sympathetic to those with disabilities. All told, she made a positive difference in the lives of many. Her altruism was genuine, without motive, and a true reflection of the good person she was. She was just as compassionate towards the treatment of animals, domestic or wild.

After retiring, Bette enjoyed touring the U.S. and Canada, gardening, bingo, kayak shuttling for her sons as well as car camping and fishing. An avid tennis player in high school, she also delighted in watching Grand Slam tournaments. Bette was an ardent reader too, using that and crossword and jigsaw puzzles to keep her mind sharp. She also loved flowers, commonly stopping mid-street to admire, sometimes knocking on doors to ask the species so she could grow her own.

Bette's passing is preceded by her parents, sisters Ruth and Lilas, husband Ed Bowman, daughter Diana Dains, and great granddaughter Montgomery Gibson. She is survived by sons Rick (Kris) Bowman, Brent (Kimberly) Bowman, and Rusty (Alisa) Bowman; granddaughters Tina Dains, Amy Gibson, Jennifer Bowman, Logan Bowman, and Skye Bowman; and several great grandchildren.

Strong, yet modest and quick to smile, Bette will be sorely missed but never forgotten. In her memory, please consider helping someone in need, giving the gift of a smile to a stranger, or planting a perennial flower.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 6 at Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Rd, Twin Falls. Reception to follow with food and refreshments.

A memorial page for Bette is available at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com  to share photos, messages, or stories.