Dolores R. Bowman

May 12, 1929 - August 15, 2013: Dolores (Dee) Bowman went peacefully to her eternal home on Thursday August 15. Born in Akron, OH, Dee was a child of God - serving him while caring for her family and others. Giving of her talent and time were second nature to Dee. The daughter of Etta (Seitz) and Oscar Neff, Dee graduated with her teaching degree from the University of Ohio. It was as a Latin and English teacher in Chinook, MT that she met fellow teacher Tom Bowman. Their marriage on June 3, 1954 would be the beginning of the blessing of 59 years of marriage, six children, ten grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a lifetime of service to others. Dee was a giver and a doer. While raising her family on Big Floyd Lake in Detroit Lakes, she taught them (and the neighbor kids) to swim, encouraged them to pursue and enjoy music, and to do works for others. The family frequently hosted foreign exchange students - introducing her family to new people and cultures. She followed the interests of her grandchildren and was known for her careful and personal selection of books as gifts. Dee committed her life to God's work. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes, League of Women Voters, Minnesota Conference of Church, Anti-Racism groups, the Food Shelf, reading for the blind and many more organizations that helped those in need. Besides her love of teaching, Dee worked for Norseman Motors for thirteen years. Dee loved music and the arts. She played several instruments (most recently the dulcimer) and sang with the church, gospel, and community choirs. Known locally as "the egg lady" her beautiful Ukranian eggs can be found in many area homes. She also enjoyed golf, bridge, reading, board games and mastering those mind-melting logic puzzles. Dee was preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Etta Neff, husband Tom Bowman and sister, Kathy Griffin. She is survived by six children; Bob (Kristi), of Maple Grove, MN; Tom (Debi), of Rapid City, SD; Dennis (Jean), of Fergus Falls, MN; Barb (Al) Ostby, of Minnetonka, MN; Dave (Lisa), of Mendota Heights, MN; and Charlie (Joyce), of Moorhead, MN. Her admiring ten grandchildren; Jennifer, Amber, Kelly, Josh, Chayce, Sarah, Zachary, Tommy, Adrian, and Natalie; and great granddaughter, Peyton; brother Dennis (Zorah Dale) Neff, of Lake Havasu City, AZ; and brother in law, Clint Griffin, of Brighton, CO. Memorials may be sent to the Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church (885 Pembina Trail, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501).