Olive Bowman

Olive J. Bowman, age 87, of Oshkosh Wisconsin and Scottsdale Arizona passed away peacefully with her family at her side Saturday morning, September 18, 2010 at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh, after succumbing to a three month battle with cancer. She was born April 15, 1923 to Per Gustave and Ruth (Wilson) Johnson in New York, NY. She spent her childhood in Yonkers, NY, and her early adult years in various locations throughout New York. Olive graduated from high school in Yonkers, and then went on to Packard Business College where she earned a secretarial and stenographic degree. She worked as a secretary on Wall Street in New York thereafter.In 1943, Olive married her high school sweetheart, David L. Bowman on an Army base in North Carolina where she was a nanny and Dave was enlisted in Air Force training. Olive and Dave spent the rest of their lives devoted to one another and also to their family. She was the essence of grace, humility, and unconditional love, and all who knew her found her an amazingly positive and forthright person. She was indeed the solid rock foundation of her family, and provided great love, support, and stability to all. Olive and Dave moved to Wisconsin as he completed his Doctorate degree, living first in Eau Claire, then Madison, and finally Oshkosh, where Dave held various positions at The University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, most notably his tenure as Dean of The College of Education for over 22 years. Olives time was devoted to raising her children, and to supporting Daves endeavors at UW-Oshkosh. She will be remembered fondly by many students who resided in their home on Algoma Boulevard, as well as by many others in the community, from her tennis and golf ladies to her special friends and acquaintances made throughout the years. In the past few years, her friends from her Havenwood neighborhood in Oshkosh were especially dear to her heart.In retirement, Olive and Dave wintered primarily in Scottsdale, Arizona, and traveled extensively throughout the world. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, and her home was always the central location for good food, family games, music, and great cocktail hours. An equal part of Bowman family life was the fierce competition on the tennis court and golf course. Olive played league tennis until the age of 80, and even at 87, she routinely outscored the rest of the family in golf. We will miss her unwavering determination, her well-grounded sensibility, and her gentle and gracious nature. By living a positive, active, and loving life, she inspired her family, and gave all amazing examples to follow. Even in her final moment, she had that familiar gentle reassuring smile on her face, and because of her steadfast faith, Olive showed us where this final chapter of her life did lead. She was secure in her belief that through Jesus Christ we will all meet again and live in the arms of God forever. Her smile proved her faith, and we are comforted once again by her shining example.Olive is survived by her daughters Nancy (James) Rubatt and their sons, Bryan and Nicholas of Scottsdale; and Carol (William) Steinert and their children, Steven, Nathan, and Kimberly of Oshkosh; her son James children: Jennifer (Joseph) Dawson, of Peoria, IL; Michael (Michelle) Bowman and their children Aiden and Kylie of Queen Creek, AZ; Jeffrey Bowman of Chicago; her son Lawrences children: Kaize (Michael) Laak of Appleton, WI, and Piersen Bowman of Oshkosh; Shirlee (James) Bowman of Peoria, IL; Michelle Schmachtenburger (Lawrence Bowman) of Las Vegas, NV; her sister Esther Galligan of Southbury, CT; and sister in-law, Eleanor Kursch, of East Hampton, Long Island, NY.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 60 years, Dr. David L Bowman; sons, James and Lawrence Bowman; and many cherished family members from New York.A special note of thanks to the staff at Evergreen Retirement Community and Heartland Hospice for their loving care in Olives final weeks. With consideration to family and friends out of state, a memorial service and celebration of her life is being planned for the upcoming week in Oshkosh and will be announced in a later edition of The Northwestern.

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Friday, October 01, 2010
4 p.m. until service



Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Friday, October 01, 2010
6 p.m.



Riverside Cemetery



1901 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901