Helen Gilligan Bowman, 91, Emporia, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 20, 2011 at Sterling House in Emporia.
She was born November 20, 1919 at Olpe, Kansas, the sixth child of 13 children born to William P. and Katherine (Haag) Miller. She attended school at Olpe and Maydale. She married Bernard Gilligan at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Olpe, Kansas, on June 21, 1938. They lived in Hartford and farmed until his death, February 15, 1983. She married Vincent Bowman on April 23, 1988 in Emporia. He died December 25, 2010.
Survivors include: son, James J. Gilligan, Marco Island, Florida; two daughters, Jean Wilson, Topeka, and Sarah Mounkes, Reading; grandsons, Todd Wilson, Emporia, and Shawn Gilligan, New York City, New York; three great-grandsons, Michael, Tyler, and Kyle Wilson, Emporia; great-great-grandchildren, Holly and Dominic Wilson, Emporia; ; stepchildren, Joe Bowman, Eugene, Oregon, and Mary Ellen Force, Slidell, Louisiana; four step-grandchildren, Lisa Bowman, Chris Bowman, Brittney Force and Gregg Force; seven step-great-grandchildren, Declan Elias, Joshua Elias, Zachary Elias, Reed Bowman, Raven Kirksey, Devin Force, and Aiden Force; brother, Frank Miller of Arkansas; two sisters, Kathryn Hickel, Seattle, Washington, and Wilma Gerleman, Salina; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; son, Gerald W. “Jerry” Gilligan; grandson, Michael S. Wilson; four brothers, Bert, Christian, Leonard, and William “Bill” Miller; five sisters, Clara and Louise, who both died in infancy, Bernadine Wiederhold, Eileen Burnes, and Geneva Ney; and stepdaughter, Ann Bowman.
She worked as a housekeeper at Dr. Trimble’s home for several years, and later at Emporia State University’s Memorial Union, and also at Iowa Beef Processors. She is a past president of the Saint Mary’s Altar Society, and was a member of the Colonial Dames Club while in Hartford. She is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, and the Altar Society of the church.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, at 10:30 AM, on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Rich Warsnak of the church. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hartford. The Rosary will be recited at the church Friday evening, June 24, 2011, at 6:30 PM
A memorial has been established with the building fund for the Parish center of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church of Hartford. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen B. Bowman, please visit our flower store.
She was born November 20, 1919 at Olpe, Kansas, the sixth child of 13 children born to William P. and Katherine (Haag) Miller. She attended school at Olpe and Maydale. She married Bernard Gilligan at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Olpe, Kansas, on June 21, 1938. They lived in Hartford and farmed until his death, February 15, 1983. She married Vincent Bowman on April 23, 1988 in Emporia. He died December 25, 2010.
Survivors include: son, James J. Gilligan, Marco Island, Florida; two daughters, Jean Wilson, Topeka, and Sarah Mounkes, Reading; grandsons, Todd Wilson, Emporia, and Shawn Gilligan, New York City, New York; three great-grandsons, Michael, Tyler, and Kyle Wilson, Emporia; great-great-grandchildren, Holly and Dominic Wilson, Emporia; ; stepchildren, Joe Bowman, Eugene, Oregon, and Mary Ellen Force, Slidell, Louisiana; four step-grandchildren, Lisa Bowman, Chris Bowman, Brittney Force and Gregg Force; seven step-great-grandchildren, Declan Elias, Joshua Elias, Zachary Elias, Reed Bowman, Raven Kirksey, Devin Force, and Aiden Force; brother, Frank Miller of Arkansas; two sisters, Kathryn Hickel, Seattle, Washington, and Wilma Gerleman, Salina; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; son, Gerald W. “Jerry” Gilligan; grandson, Michael S. Wilson; four brothers, Bert, Christian, Leonard, and William “Bill” Miller; five sisters, Clara and Louise, who both died in infancy, Bernadine Wiederhold, Eileen Burnes, and Geneva Ney; and stepdaughter, Ann Bowman.
She worked as a housekeeper at Dr. Trimble’s home for several years, and later at Emporia State University’s Memorial Union, and also at Iowa Beef Processors. She is a past president of the Saint Mary’s Altar Society, and was a member of the Colonial Dames Club while in Hartford. She is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, and the Altar Society of the church.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emporia, at 10:30 AM, on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The Mass will be celebrated by Father Rich Warsnak of the church. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hartford. The Rosary will be recited at the church Friday evening, June 24, 2011, at 6:30 PM
A memorial has been established with the building fund for the Parish center of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church of Hartford. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen B. Bowman, please visit our flower store.
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