Dorothy Ann Bowers

Dorothy Ann Bowers, 91, of Concordia, Missouri, formerly of Olpe, Kansas, passed away September 29, 2023, at the Good Shepherd Care Community In Concordia.

Dorothy was born in rural Olpe, Kansas, on April 23, 1932, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Norbert and Loretta (Waechter) Schmidt.  She attended Sunnyridge and Twin Mound country schools, St. Joseph’s Grade School, and St. Joseph’s High School in Olpe.  On March 31, 1951, in Olpe, she married George T. Bowers, who preceded her in death on May 26, 1998.  Their union was blessed with four children.

Survivors include four children:  Karen Schroeder of Concordia, Missouri, Sharon Hendrickson of Fort Worth, Texas, Tom Bowers of Dallas, Texas and Carla Blackwell (Tony) of Marshfield, Missouri; 11 grandchildren:  Patrick Schroeder (Anne), Philomath, Oregon; Kenneth Schroeder, Concordia, Missouri; Ann Schroeder Beissenherz (Nathan), Concordia, Missouri; Daniel Schroeder (Jami), Overland Park, Kansas; Joseph Schroeder (Erica), Concordia, Missouri; Eric Hendrickson (Stacee), Wichita, Kansas; Bret Hendrickson (Andrea), Fort Worth, Texas; Marc Hendrickson, Fort Worth, Texas; Nathan Blackwell (Kara), Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; Allison Blackwell Clark (Jake), Tucson, Arizona and Hannah Blackwell, Marshfield, Missouri; and 20 great-grandchildren; one brother, Marvin Schmidt (Marilea) of Olpe, KS; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Andrea Schroeder, a son-in-law, Dr. Jon D. Schroeder, and one sister, Shirleen Holden.

Dorothy worked at Bunge Corporation in Emporia, Kansas, as a bookkeeper and secretary for 30 years.  She was a life-long member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church as well as a resident of Olpe until she moved to Concordia, Missouri, in 2017 to live at Good Shepherd Care Community.  Growing up in a family that loved and appreciated music; she learned to play the piano at an early age and used that talent her whole life to entertain.  Known as “Dottie” at Good Shepherd, her singing and piano playing entertained residents, staff, and visitors on a daily basis.  Dorothy was an accomplished seamstress, an avid flower gardener, a talented pianist, and a very friendly lady who was often complimented on her beautiful handwriting.  Dorothy led a life worth learning from and believed strongly in her Catholic faith . . .  she accepted the Lord’s words and teachings and lived by them.  Dorothy was very involved in the Olpe Community and the church.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Olpe with burial following at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Olpe.  The rosary will be recited 7:00 p.m., Wednesday night at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Olpe.  The family will receive friends an hour prior to the rosary.  Memorial contributions to Alzheimer’s Association, St. Joseph Church Cemetery Fund, or the Good Shepherd Care Community Auxiliary in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.