Jean Ott Bowers

Jean Ott Bowers, a lifelong resident of Ottawa, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, in Green Mountain Falls, CO. She was 96. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Inurnment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Mrs. Bowers was born in Ottawa on Nov. 3, 1921, to Christopher and Madge (Wallace) Ott. She was a 1939 graduate of Ottawa High School. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO for two years. At the University of Kansas she earned a degree in business in 1943, a time when very few women majored in business. While at KU, she was member of Chi Omega sorority. She worked for Trans World Airlines in Kansas City after college before moving to San Francisco, CA to join friends from Ottawa and work during the war. She married William Sheldon Bowers, another lifelong Ottawa resident, Oct. 9, 1948. He preceded her in death in 2011. Mrs. Bowers was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of PEO, Beta Gamma, Rotary Anns and a Thursday morning coffee group that had its roots in a Bible study class. She was a volunteer for the Friends of the Library book sale. In addition to her husband and children, Mrs. Bowers’ passion was photography. She carried her camera everywhere and was never shy about ordering friends and family to stop and pose for the perfect picture. Mrs. Bowers also enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, animals and nature. She loved antiques and frequently shared her collection and knowledge of antique Christmas ornaments with organizations around Ottawa. Mrs. Bowers is survived by her children, Carolyn Bowers and husband Charles Babcock, Washington, D.C., Margaret Bowers Morris, Colorado Springs, CO, Chris Bowers and wife Cindy, New Braunfels, TX, Bill Bowers and wife Tammy, Lawrence, and Burt Bowers, Green Mountain Falls, CO; and sister, Margaret Ann Gilliland, Arkansas City. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Christopher John Morris, her first grandchild, preceded her in death in 2013. The family suggests memorial contributions to Westminster Presbyterian Church or Friends of the Ottawa Public Library c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Jean’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com