Delma Edith Bowden Obituary (1916 - 2008)

Delma Edith Bowden was born August 28, 1916, on the family farm just north of Lamont, Iowa, to Charles Dopp and Mabel (Adams) Dopp. She attended school at Lamont, Iowa, received her teacher training certificate and graduated with her class on May 26, 1933. Following graduation, she taught at the Frey school near Wadena, Iowa. Then she taught at the King School located in the Amish district near Hazelton. Later she did substitute teaching at Lamont and Dundee. Delma was united in marriage to Fredric George Bowden, on May 10, 1936, at Grace Methodist Church in Lamont. The couple farmed north of Lamont for four years before moving to their farm on the Buchanan/Delaware County line west of Backbone State Park. Their first child, Lee Charles, was born June 9, 1938; and a second son Gay Lynn, was born May 8, 1943. Fred and Delma moved to Lamont in 1963 and lived on Concord Street, across from the Boy Scout Park. After moving to town, Delma worked as a psychiatric aide at the Mental Health Institute in Independence and at Peoples' Memorial Hospital, and later worked as a waitress at the Lamont Cafe. For several years she worked as a secretary for the Seedorff Masonry Company in Strawberry Point and part time for Dick Smith's Plumbing Service in Lamont. In their later years Fred and Delma served as visitation hosts at the Fawcett Funeral Chapel in Lamont. Throughout their retirement years, Delma and Fred enjoyed traveling, which included numerous bus trips throughout the United States. Thus began her extensive bell collection which she was proud to share with others by giving numerous talks. She was one of Fred's strongest supporters when he played with the Hootenanny and Hoe-downers musical groups at nursing homes and other meeting events, sharing humorous readings when they played. Delma was proud of her beautiful writing style, and was always good at sending cards and letters to friends and relatives. She was also fondly known for her cooking and baking. Lee and Gay remember her homemade bread and rolls waiting for them upon returning from winter wood. She had a big farm garden and canned the produce. Every family member will remember Grandma Delma for her crocheted afghans which will be treasured for years to come. Delma was Fred's loving and constant care-giver following his stroke until he finally had to go to the nursing home. She was his regular visitor at West-Village Care Center until her own health caused her to join him at West Village two years prior to his passing in 2001. Delma was never happier than when she was with or around her family. The morning she passed away she was visiting with the nursing home staff about family celebrations, particularly her Thanksgivings when all the family would gather for their combination Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. Delma E. Bowden entered into her eternal rest on Monday, July 28, 2008, following a sudden illness at the age of 91 years and 11 months, at the West-Village Care Center in Independence, where she had been a resident for the past nine years. Survivors include two sons: Lee (Linda) of Independence, and Gay (Fran) of West Union; two grandsons: Mark (Anne) of Kansas City, MO, and Monte (Laura) of Cedar Falls; two granddaughters: Joy (Mark) Newcom, of Forest City, and Jill (Greg) Blank, of Garner; eight great-grandchildren: Christopher, Reed, Michael, and Braden Bowden of Cedar Falls, Stross and Skye Newcom of Forest City, and Jordan and Stuart Blank of Garner; her sister, Mildred Olsen of Fairbank; her sisters-in-law, Eileen Reed of Manchester, Frankie Bowden of Independence, and Mabel Bowden of Strawberry Point; and many nieces and nephews. Delma was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents, Charles and Mabel Dopp; her brothers, George and Earl Dopp; and her daughter-in-law, Lynne Bowden. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 31, 2008, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Lamont with Rev. Carroll Robinson officiating. Ann Slattery will provide the music. Interment will be in Campton Cemetery east of Lamont. Friends may call from 4 PM until 8 PM Wednesday at the Fawcett Funeral Home in Lamont and after 9:30 A.M. Thursday at the Church.