Funeral services for Mary Melissa “Mickey” Bowen, 95, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 18, 2107 at the First Christian Church in Wheatland, Wyoming with Pastor Chan Bayne officiating. Interment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.
Mickey Bowen died Sunday, Nov. 12 at the Platte County Memorial Hospital in Wheatland. She was the last surviving sibling out of 13.
Mickey was born Saturday, Jan. 28, 1922 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the daughter of Frank and Minerva (Tillery) Wilson. She left Arkansas and everything she knew for the mountains of Colorado at just 16 years old. She worked at a hotel near the Green Mountain Dam where she met Arlo Francis Bowen. They were married on Oct. 25, 1941 in Denver, Colorado. They moved to Wheatland where they were involved with farming and ranching operations.
She was a caregiver and “homemaker” but more than that. She worked in the fields, irrigating, harvesting, tending sheep, whatever needed to be done. She helped with all of that but also fed the large crew of workers with large home cooked meals.
She was a living example of gentleness, kindness, strength and loyalty. Nothing meant more to Mickey than tradition and family. She had integrity, intelligence, compassion, strength, and a deep love for family.
She never missed one of Jerry’s or Pat’s wrestling matches or any rodeo Connie was part of. She continued this dedication into the next generations of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was an avid football fan, not just football, but Broncos football. She was a sportswoman, participating in archery, golf, bowling, and pretty much any sport she wanted to pick up. She mastered going to the National competitive level in most of them. She also was an avid hunter and fisherman.
She and Arlo were active members of the Moose Lodge and were founding members of the Wheatland Country Club. They were instrumental in the creation of the golf shop and numerous improvements to the course itself. They also donated the land where the current Laramie Peak Museum is located.
She is survived by her children, Jerry (Marlene) Bowen of Wheatland, Pat (Linda) Bowen of Wheatland, and Connie (Jack) Eller of Glendo, Wyoming; grandchildren, Kerri (Todd) Mueller, Robert Twiford, and Valerie Bowen (Scott Glover); and great grandchildren, Dillon Rietz, Dalton Rietz, Jeddrik Rietz, Chase Mueller, and Mikia Mueller.
Mickey was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arlo Francis Bowen, on July 18, 1997; one sister; nine brothers; and two half-brothers.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dillon Rietz, Dalton Rietz, Jeddrik Rietz, Chase Mueller, Robert Twiford, and Dwain Twiford.
A memorial in the memory of Arlo Bowen to the Wyoming Alzheimer’s Foundation, 400 East First Street, Casper, Wyoming 82201 would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
