Gerald Bowman

Gerald Duane, son of Charles and Vera (Riedesal) Bowman, was born December 19, 1923, in rural Greene County, Iowa. He grew up on the farm and attended Carrollton country school. Gerald graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1941 and attended Iowa State University for a year before enlisting in the United States Army Air Force. He served stateside during World War II. Gerald was united in marriage with Darlene Cretsinger on March 27, 1945, at the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids. Following Gerald's honorable discharge, they lived on his family's farm north of Coon Rapids where he farmed with his dad and brother. The family moved into Coon Rapids in 1957, though Gerald continued to be involved in the farm business for a while. Gerald owned a milk delivery company and drove a school bus, and later used his carpentry skills working first for an electrician; then for ET Video. He was an active member of the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids serving faithfully over the years in many different ways. He was also an active member of the American Legion, serving as chaplain of Post #357 in Coon Rapids for many years. While in the service during World War II, Gerald went to mechanics school and he enjoyed studying and talking about airplanes throughout his life. His carpentry skills were also called upon during his years in the service. He rode horses in his younger years and he and Darlene sometimes went to the Iowa State Fair horse shows. As a young farmer, he had dairy cows, sheep, and chickens, for which he built a chicken house. He enjoyed collecting stamps and hats, and he loved sports. In 1959, Gerald built the home on 5th Avenue where he and Darlene have lived. Gerald was very proud of his family. He enjoyed the flowers Darlene tended and was quite a gardener himself, and not just vegetables. He planted flowers in front of their home when Darlene was ill. Following several months of declining health and a short hospital stay, Gerald died on Sunday, June 23, 2013, at the St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. He was 89 years, 6 months and 4 days of age. Gerald is preceded in death by his parents; infant brother Robert Bowman; sisters-in-law Marguerite Bowman and Madeline Kretzinger and brother-in-law Floyd Kretzinger He is survived by his wife Darlene Bowman of Coon Rapids; five children: Donna Varchola (George) of Davenport; Mary Beth Bowman (Bill Jahn) of Coon Rapids; Dave Bowman (Becky) of Carroll; Vicky Briley (Jordan) of Poway, CA; and Cheryl Wolfe (Ron) of San Marcos, CA; nine grandchildren: Jennifer Bradley (Shawn); Eric Varchola (Melissa); William Jahn Jr. (Kendra); Dayon Kjellberg (Brent); Andria Cossolotto (Matt); Trent Bowman; Sara and Ryan Briley; and Matthew Wolfe; 12 great grandchildren; brother George Bowman of Coon Rapids; brother-in-law Sam Cretsinger (Corrine) of Coon Rapids; other relatives and friends. PASTOR BEN RAMIREZ, OFFICIATING Music "AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL" CONGREGATION "JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE" CINDY SEASTROM, VOCALIST LULA GARNES, ACCOMPANIST "HAPPY TRAILS" RECORDED MUSIC Casket Bearers TRENT BOWMAN B.J. JAHN SHAWN BRADLEY ERIC VARCHOLA MATT COSSOLOTTO RYAN BRILEY BRENT KJELLBERG MATTHEW WOLFE RYAN BOWMAN JON CRETSINGER Interment with Military Honors AMERICAN LEGION GURNEY PARKER POST #357 UNION TOWNSHIP CEMETERY COON RAPIDS, IOWA