In Memory of Kay Bowers

Kay Margot, daughter of Clarence "Peg" and Mercedes (Strosahl) Bowers, was born March 5, 1944, at Manning, Iowa. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning where she also taught Sunday School. Kay graduated from Manning High School in 1962, and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in teaching from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Science degree in teaching from Creighton University.

Kay shared her time between her parent's home in Manning and Omaha, where she taught English as a Second Language at UNO and later at Millard Public Schools. She had previously worked for the Job Corps at Lewis Central High School and the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs. Kay was a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Omaha.

Kay was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, friend and family member who freely shared her gifts and inspiration. Her talents were treasured by the many people that have been influenced by her faith, love and quiet wisdom.

In October of 2008 Kay was diagnosed with leukemia, which she promptly battled into remission. The disease returned in June of 2010 and as always, her courage was relentless as she relied on her faith to guide her. Much of her strength and daily guidance came from the passage John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Kay died at Hospice House in Omaha on Monday, August 30, 2010, amidst the support and love of her family and friends. She was 66 years, five months and 25 days of age.

She is preceded in death by her father Peg Bowers and brother Richard Bowers.

Kay is survived by her mother Mercedes Bowers of Manning; sister-in-law Jan Bowers of Berthoud, CO; nieces Julie Stock (Matt) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Niki O'Brien (Mike and daughter Katie) of Loveland, CO; nephews Keith Hildreth of Golden, CO, and Kevin Hildreth of Berthoud, CO; other relatives and numerous friends.

Memorial donations in Kay's honor will go towards purchase of a park bench at Great Western Park in Manning.

Sometimes we get lucky and have the blessing of crossing paths with angels, well, for the last twenty years I was blessed with having one as my best friend. Her name is Kay and I would not have survived all the things that have happened to me in those 20 years with out her friendship, understanding, support and love that she and her family has given me and my family all this time.

You have shown me by example the real meaning of loving unconditionally; with out looking at color, race, social status or religion. I learned how to be discreet and never get involved in other people affairs, how to never judge any body and how to never, ever talk bad about any body else, even if they deserved it. You are without a doubt the best teacher in classrooms and even more out side the classroom. But then again, you are an "Angel."

In every remarkable memory of my last 20 years, you are there. If I am talking about family time, you are in every important event. If I am talking about hard times, I can still feel your supporting hand, helping me to get out of them. I have never met any body that can listen as well and as much as you, but then again, you are an "Angel."

For some reason, God needs you some place else, I will never understand why but I am still grateful for the time we have spent together. The selfish part of me does not want to understand, because I still need you. But following your own teaching, I have to accept that "Angels" do not belong here on earth and you need to go home. I don't want to, but then again, you are an "Angel."

Many people have been touched by you, and every one of us is a better person because of it, that is why your memory and your legacy is going to live forever, touching and reaching thousands of people thru out any one that knows you. Your butterfly effect will live forever in all of us, as well as in our families, and the families of our families and so on, because after all, you are an "Angel."

There is no way to express everything that you mean to me, but to my immortal friend Kay, goes all my respect and love forever hoping that God will be, on your trip home, as kind to you as you have always been kind to me, because after all, you are an "Angel" that God let me borrow for a little time.

Dear Kay, you have been my teacher, my friend, my sister, and my love for you will never end. You'll live in my heart forever.

Your friend Jaime Suarez Reyes