Softly and tenderly is how Shirley Bowen left this world and was greeted into Heaven. Shirley Corrine Bowen was born March 3, 1935, in Topeka, to Fred and Vernice (Rich) Wilson. She passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2021.
Shirley will be remembered for her caring heart and kind spirit. She grew up in Topeka with her two older sisters, Margaret and Joan, graduating from Holiday Junior High and Topeka High School. Shirley ventured out of state for her freshmen year of college to Bob Jones University in South Carolina, but headed home to attend Washburn University for her sophomore year. And it’s a good thing she did! This is where she met the love of her life, Ralph Bowen.
After Ralph graduated from Washburn, he and Shirley got married and moved to Hutchinson, where they raised four children, and spent the next 64 years as very active members of the community. Ralph and Shirley were charter members of the Doers Sunday School Class at Trinity United Methodist Church and helped start the Pancake Supper fundraiser, which was well attended by community members for years.
Shirley was also active in helping with Vacation Bible School, Stephen Ministries, and Missions and Bible Studies, to name a few. Shirley’s faith was very important to her and she instilled her values and faith in her children. Shirley was a charter member of Chapter HQ, P.E.O. and enjoyed the friendships she made there over the years.
Friendships were very important to Shirley and Ralph. Shirley kept in touch with a group of friends from Holiday Junior High and she and Ralph enjoyed trips with the group from coast to coast. Friday nights were spent at the Anchor Inn with friends unless they were supporting grandchildren in school activities or traveling.
Shirley and Ralph loved attending cultural and sporting events in the community. They never missed going to the Kansas State Fair and were life-long season ticket holders for HCC football and basketball games. They also enjoyed attending K-State football games and tailgating with family.
Family traditions were important to Shirley, always celebrating birthdays and holidays with family and creating great memories! She and Ralph also shared many happy times traveling with their friends and family.
Shirley is survived by: daughter, Andrea Siefkes (Tim) of Hutchinson, daughter, Pam Kennedy (Kelly) of Haysvillle, son, Kevin Bowen (Jodee) of Hutchinson, daughter, Tamara Harbour (Phil) of Shawnee; grandchildren, Courtney Siefkes of Austin, TX, Amy Messer (Travis) of Gardner, Matthew Peil (Loni) of Hutchinson, Lauren Rickner (James) of Ottawa, Aubrey Kennedy of Haysville, Elli Bowen of Kansas City, Trace Bowen of Kansas City, Abby Harbour of Shawnee, Reed Harbour of Shawnee; Cale Harbour of Shawnee, Tayt Harbour, all of Shawnee; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Margaret “Peg” Bowen; and many nieces and nephews, with whom she remained close and loved seeing at family gatherings over the years.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Ralph Bowen; sisters, Margaret Brunton Smith and Joan Hornak and their spouses.
Memorial Service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2021, at Hutchinson First Church of the Nazarene, 4290 N. Monroe. Inurnment will follow at Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may sign her memorial book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service.
The service will be livestreamed and the link to view her service will be available in her obituary on the funeral home website beginning at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Ralph and Shirley Bowen, memorials are suggested to the Riobamba Compassion Fund at First Church of the Nazarene. Compassion International’s mission is Releasing Children from Poverty in Jesus’ Name and Shirley and Ralph sponsored several children throughout their lives. Those donations can be sent in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.