"My Sympathy to the Bowman Family. I have many fond memories of doing business with Hugh during my time in Maquoketa. Stan Schatz"
In loving memory of
Hugh G. Bowman
April 14, 1931 - November 14, 2020
Hugh G. Bowman, 89, of Maquoketa, Iowa, died on November 14, 2020 at the Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa. Cause of death was COVID-19 Pneumonia.
Hugh was born on April 14, 1931 in Maquoketa, Iowa, the son of Francis and Florence (Goetz) Bowman. Hugh graduated from Maquoketa High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1952-1954.
Hugh married Mary Lee Whitmore on May 4, 1952. Mary died of cancer on March 22, 2003, after 50 years of marriage. Hugh's business career started in 1959 when Dale Koon offered him a partnership in what became Koon & Bowman Standard and Robo-Wash. The station partnership continued until 1989 when Dale retired and sold his share to Hugh's son, Bill. Hugh continued to work full-time at Bowman Oil Co. until his retirement at the age of 80, always fearing that once a man retires, his "body just starts falling apart and you die." After the loss of Mary, Hugh lived independently until the fall of 2019, when he moved to the Clover Ridge Care Center. He was fortunate to have several loving friends and companions in his retirement.
Hugh is survived by five sons and daughters-in- law: Michael and Deborah; Robert and Joanie; William and Barbara; Tod and Renee; and Kevin and Mary. His surviving grandchildren are Rebecca(Ondrej) Stonawski; Elizabeth(Cameron) Feist; Amanda(Simon) Porter; Kate (Michael) Meinecke, Jacob Bowman; Ara J. (Kristin) Bowman; Adam (Kristin) Bowman, Beau Bowman, Levi Bowman, Adeline Bowman, Lucas Bowman and Jack Bowman. He is survived by 14 great grandchildren, with one on deck and likely many more down the road.
Hugh is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Lois and Max Widner, and their family; Mary's sisters, Erma "Corky"Bruhn, Betty Roster, Karen Opala, Rena (Archie) McGee and Denyce (Steve) Weimers; Mary's brothers Richard (Sherrill) Whitmore and Steve Whitmore; and Mary's brothers-in-law Bill McDonald, and Lyle Adrian. Hugh was predeceased by his parents, his brother Don Bowman, sisters-in-law Kathy Adrian, Judy Cox, Joan McDonald, Donna Whitmore and Betty Whitmore and brothers-in-law Dwain "Curley" Bruhn, Jack Roster, Dennis Cox, Edward Whitmore, Gary Whitmore, and William Whitmore. Hugh was a 70-year member of First Lutheran Church.
Although work always came first for Hugh, he learned to enjoy family sporting events, euchre games, the Cubs and touring with his 1951 Chevy.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund in the name of Hugh and Mary Bowman will be established.
A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa. The service will be streamed on the First Lutheran Church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255139147853653. Future Plans to celebrate his life will take place after CoVid 19 subsides.
The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family and online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.
Tributes
"To the Bowman family I send my deepest sympathy. Hugh and Mary were the best of the best. Not only were they good honest people they lived life to the fullest. Many found memories of them at First Lutheran. RIP Hugh Bowman You will be missed."
"I am so sorry for your loss. Hugh was a wonderful man. I feel like I have known him all my life. When I was young my parents were faithful customers of Koon and Bowman. Dale and Hugh were an awesome team and we always had great service and friendship. I would talk to him and some of his Family when I went to Clover Ridge to visit my brother Gary Bloore. Hugh will be missed but he has left many wonderful memories. Jean Kent. "
"Bob,Joanie & family- Bill and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your family!! Hugh was a wonderful person!! Again, so sorry for your loss?"
"To the Bowman Family, So sorry to hear of your loss. Hugh touched so many lives as a Father, businessman, and friend. He will be missed by all. Please accept our sincere sympathy. Jeff and Cherie Tampir"
"To the Bowman Family, Your dad was a true Maquoketan who supported the town, was friendly, caring, and a great husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Many memories to keep sharing with your families."
"Dave and Judy Koon Bowman Family Our deepest sympathy to all of your family. Hugh was a great partner and friend to Dad over the years. We always enjoyed visiting with him when he was able to be out and about. He will be missed by family as well as those that knew him. "
"Tod, Kevin and families- What a great picture of your Dad. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Even though I moved away years ago, I think of you guys when I\'m home visiting and we drive by the station. Used to love getting our car washed after church, seeing both of you working hard next to your Dad. He passed his work ethic on down. May your memories bring you comfort. Kim Carter (Steigerwaldt)"
"Bowman Family So sorry to hear of your loss. Hugh was a great person and friend. Have many great memories of him going back to the late \'50\'s up until seeing him at McDonalds in a card game. He will be greatly missed. Bob and Linda Crist"
"So very sorry for your loss ~ a large void that cannot be replaced but a life that can often be reminisced with smiles and tears that will bring joy and peace to your hearts. "
"To the Bowman family - I\'m so sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts of peace and comfort to you all now, and during the difficult days ahead. "
"Our sincere sympathy to the Bowman family."
"to all of the bowman family our thoughts and prayers are with you i think Hugh was a very strong willed and very likeable man and i am sure he will be greatly missed.Jerry&JIllane Renner"
"I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Hugh! He certainly was a nice man! You were so fortunate to have such a great father and example in your lives"
"Hugh and I were good friends from way back in the Koon & Bowman days. I respected his strength and work ethic. I brought him cookies every April 14 for his birthday for 25 years. We\'d sit at the kitchen table and talk over things - we were friends. I will miss him terribly! My deepest sympathy to the five sons on the loss of their dad. Jolene Starr"
"Bowman Family - so sorry for your loss. Hugh was an original, unique character, one of the most honest and decent people you could ever meet. A genuine article - always warm hearted and an absolute pleasure to be in his company - - god bless you Hugh, we pray for you and Mary, and all of the Bowman Family"
"Bowman Family, So sorry to hear of Hugh\'s passing. Such a fine fellow. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family."
"So very sorry for your loss. Hugh was such a nice man and will be missed by so many. Prayers you all."
"Will miss Uncle Hugh. I had great times talking to him at the dirt track races and visiting with him. Will miss him alot"
"With sincere sympathy. Hugh was a classmate of my mother, Waive Widel Bailey and I was a customer for several years at the station. Mary Ann Bailey"
"Bowman Family, Our thoughts are with all of you at this time of sorrow. Hugh will be greatly missed by so many! "
"We always looked forward to sitting behind Hugh at church before he moved to Clover Ridge. We would visit about stock car races, Cardinal sports, Cubs and Hawkeyes. Your dad was a quiet kind person. Sympathy to all the family."
"We have missed Hugh so much at church. Since the Co-Vid we have not held services at church, but before Hugh went to Clover Ridge we always visited about the stock car races, Cardinal sports, Cubs etc. We looked forward to seeing him every week. Our sympathy to all the family."
"To all the family: we are so very sorry for your loss. Your dad was a wonderful Uncle. Our thoughts and prayers with you all. Sending love and hugs. Lori and Kevin Law"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bowman Family. Hugh was such a great guy. We always enjoyed talking to him at the Station! RIP Hugh..."
"Family of Hugh Bowman, We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. He was a great supporter of the Maquoketa Chamber and a wonderful man. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you."
"Kevin, Tod and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugh was a great man and will be greatly missed. "
"So many fond memories of this man, Hugh and Mary were a great influence on my life. They raised a great bunch of Men and were a blessing to the community. "
"Sorry to hear of Hugh\' s passing. Have known this family all my life, and they are all just great people. Blessings to you all. Steve Earles "
"Bowman Family, Our condolences to you for Hugh, we sure enjoyed doing business through the years at the gas station lots of memories fortunate to have known him! Thoughts & Prayers are with you all! "
"So sorry for your loss Bowman family, keeping you all in our prayers. RIP Hugh?? "
"I\'m very sorry to learn of Hugh\'s passing. He always had a kind word whenever I saw him. He will certainly be missed. May God bless his soul."
"Thinking of the entire Bowman family at this time of loss. You have our thoughts and prayers. And as Hugh would like to hear \"Go Cubs\"!"
"Prayers for the Bowman family on this somber day. Kerry and Helen Reisen"
"To all the Bowmans My sincere sympathy on the passing of a great father and grandfather. Hugh and Mary were friends of my parents and they simply didn\'t come any better than the 2 of them. Gods Blessings to all of you. "
"So very sorry to hear of your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers to all."
"Deepest Sympathy, prayers for your family! ?? Steve and Patty Gayman "
"RIP Hugh"
"My deepest sympathies to Bill, Barb and the rest of the Bowman family. I have such fond memories of how kind Hugh was to my mom at the station and always went above and beyond to help her. That wonderful care was then extended by Bill until she passed. Such a great family and I wish you all healing at this time. God Bless..Kathy Klein"
"So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers for all of family and friends ?????"
"Sorry for your loss "
"A fellow classmate and good friend throughout the years. We certainly shared a unique friendship. To the family sorry to see him pass and too you memories are a treasure. Bill Luckey, Fond du Lac, WI"