Roberta E. 'Bobbie' Bowen

Roberta E. ‘Bobbie’ Bowen

Roberta E. “Bobbie” Bowen, age 83, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at the United Methodist Church, 6568 Lincoln, Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Her cremains will rest in the Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry.

She was born Dec. 31, 1934, in Minot, N.D., to R.E. (Bob) and Genevieve Vetter. The family moved to northern Idaho, settling in the Curly Creek area when she was three years old. She attended school in Bonners Ferry, graduating as salutatorian from BFHS in 1952.

She was married to Robert C. Shelman in 1953 in Fayetteville, N.C. He was an Army career man and she moved 17 times in the first 10 years of the marriage. She spent four years in Germany — including travel to Austria, Italy, and Holland. A son and daughter were born in Munich, Germany. After returning to the Pacific Northwest four more daughters were born sandwiched in among five more moves. In 1972 she returned to Bonners Ferry, which she made her home for the remainder of her life.

She married Robert C. Bowen in 1984 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, at the United Methodist Church.

Bobbie had a strong sense of community. She was respected with a reputation for being organized, caring, and generous. She was articulate and intelligent, attributes that served her well in the roles she served in the community and working for attorney Pete Wilson for 25 years until she retired in 1997. She was active in many organizations and committees including Eastern Star, Toast Mistress, P.E.O., and the Boundary County Education Foundation, Inc.

She was an organizing member of the All Class Reunion Committee since its inception in 1988. She was very proud of her involvement in the scholarship fund through that committee. Bobbie was a devoted and active member of the United Methodist Church and she cherished the friendships and fellowship of her church family.

Family and friends were Bobbie’s love and joy. She treasured time with both and enjoyed many lifelong friendships. She loved spending time with family, especially grand and great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader. She enjoyed keeping up with current events, traveling when she had the opportunity, bowling and spending time on the water with friends boating.

Bobbie is survived by husband Robert (Bob) Bowen, son Steve (Maureen) Shelman, daughters Robin (Glen) Harriman, Jo (Ken) Bloedel, Barbara (Francis) Shelman, Ramona Kramer-Barry, Laurie (Roger) Doering, and sister Wilma Kirkendall. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and friends beyond count. Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Robbie Shelman and brother Maynard Vetter.

At Bobbie’s request, memorials may be made to the Chapter AP P.E.O. Program of Continuing Education - c/o Wilma DeVore, 171 Osprey Road, Bonners Ferry.