Lois J. Bowen, 92, of rural Hiawatha, passed away peacefully May 8, 2026, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka. She previously had been a resident of Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha.
Lois was born at Oneida, KS, November 25, 1933, one of four daughters born to Andrew and Mabel Sadler Moser and has lived in the Northeast Kansas area her entire life. The family moved to Hiawatha in 1944 where Lois later graduated high school in 1951. Lois graduated from Highland Junior College in 1953.
She married Samuel D. Bowen, December 20, 1953, at First Christian Church in Hiawatha. They started their married life south of Highland where they farmed for a few years before Sam served in the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, they moved to the family farm southwest of Hiawatha where they started a dairy and raised their family. Her family came first, then doing whatever needed to be done to help Sam on the farm. In later years, Lois worked at Bern Meat and Cheese Store in Hiawatha.
Lois was a longtime member of First Christian Church of Hiawatha where she had been very active with various church activities through the years which included CWF. She played the piano for the adult and children’s choir and church services. She was a friend to many, had a warm personality, great sense of humor, a true joy to be around.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Sam August 27, 2003, and three sisters: Patricia Hogg, Joanne Moser, and Rosie Chilton.
Survivors include three daughters: Janet Franklin of Topeka, Barb Gray and husband Geoff of Meridan, Carolyn Garrison of Topeka; a son Bob Bowen and wife Sandy of Hiawatha; sister in law Kathryn Bowen of Springfield, MO; 7 grandchildren: Christy and Janelle Franklin, Jennifer, Gracen and Sheila Gray, Tyler Thieme, Jordan and Hayden Garrison; and 5 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Lois’s eternal life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, at First Christian Church in Hiawatha with Rev. Ron Stair officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home after 10 a.m. Tuesday where the family will meet with friends from 6:30 until 8:30 that evening.
Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church Memorial Fund sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7 St., Hiawatha 66434.
www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
