In loving memory of
Colleen Bowden
July 21, 1962 - May 27, 2022
Marita Colleen Bowden, 59, of Exline, formerly of Agency, passed away Friday, May 27, 2022, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center following a brief illness.
Colleen was a 1980 graduate of Cardinal High School, Eldon. After graduation she lived in Iowa City and Des Moines, working for a restaurant supply company and for Blue Cross Insurance. She moved to Little Rock, AR, and worked as a contractor for the U.S. Postal Service, then attended Remington College and became a certified medical assistant in 2005. Upon returning to Iowa, she worked for assisted living facilities in southeast Iowa until she was no longer able to work due to physical limitations.
Colleen's pastimes included preparing meals and baked goods for family and friends. She was a voracious reader and talented at crafts and needlework. She had a lifelong love of cats and she enjoyed many simple pleasures in life and spending time with her fiancé, Tim Butler of Exline.
Colleen is survived by her fiancé, Tim Butler; her siblings Allen, Elaine Brown, Susan Christensen, Mike, Mark, Sheila, Sharon, Patsy and Brian; and her beloved cats, Timmy and Lucky.
Colleen was born July 21, 1962, in Ottumwa, the daughter of Walter C. and Patricia E. Bowden.
She was preceded in death by her infant son, Tyler, her parents, and two brothers, Lowell and Jay.
At her passing, Colleen was a tissue donor through the Iowa Donor Network. Per Colleen's wishes, she was cremated and her ashes will be interred at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa. A memorial service will be held this summer.
Memorial contributions may be made in Colleen's name to the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter in Oskaloosa, where she rescued Timmy, or to any animal shelter where cats are a priority.