Julee Bowling

JuLee Gail (Butler) Bowling, age 57, of Ottawa, passed away on February 1, 2013 at Olathe Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Ottawa on Thursday, February 7th at 10 a.m. with Reverend Lori Stevens officiating. Cremation is planned; a private family inurnment will follow at a later date at Waverly Cemetery. Dengel & Son Mortuary are handling the memorial service arrangements. JuLee was born in Topeka, Kansas to Lee and June (Rickman) Butler on May 15, 1955. She was the oldest of three children. Her two brothers, Brian Keith and Brett Kevin came along to “torment” her a few years later. She lived in San Jose and Fremont, California until 1969 when she moved with her family to Ottawa, Kansas. She attended Ottawa High School, graduating with the class of 1973. She went on to attend floral design school in Kansas City and then to work at the family business, Butler’s Florist, for many years. Recently, JuLee opened her own floral shop, Designs by J in downtown Ottawa, remaining there until her death. She was a member of the First Christian Church, a former member of Union Chapter 15, Order of Eastern Star, and former member of Beta Sigma Phi International. JuLee was a talented floral designer and as a friend said, “She will be in heaven putting flowers in every room of God’s mansion.” JuLee’s first marriage gave her two beautiful daughters, Crystal Dawn and Ashea Nicolle. On January 1, 1993 she married Gary Lee Bowling, who survives her. JuLee is survived by her parents, Lee and June; loving husband Gary; two daughters, Crystal Soph-Emery and husband Michael, Ashea Finch and husband Jarrod Symons; two brothers, Brian Butler and Brett Butler and his companion Martha Robbins; step-children, Jenny Bowling Jackson, Brandy Bowling and Josh Bowling; son-in-law Bill Pike; three beloved grandchildren, Alexis Finch, Zachary Finch and Jacee Goad; step-grandchildren Cheyenne Bueno, Camden Johnson, Holden Pike, Lijah Bowling and Tyler Jackson; one granddaughter of the heart, DesiRae Small; father-in-law, Norman Bowling; sisters-in-law, Eileen Bowling and Mary Beth Bowling; nephews Blaine Bowling and Ryan Bowling and Kevin Butler; niece Brooke Butler; and several aunts and uncles, cousins, and extended family members. JuLee loved spending quality one on one time with people. To know her was to love her, she will be missed by so many in the community. Her passion was her work and she loved to make floral arrangements and work with brides. Memorial donations may be made to JuLee Bowling Memorial Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary 235 S. Hickory St., Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be left in the online guestbook at www.dengelmortuary.com.