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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Belle

Belle Bowen Profile Photo

Bowen

August 5, 1918 – August 2, 2016

Obituary

Birthplace: Red Oak, Iowa Resided In: Red Oak, IA formerly Newport Beach, CA E. Belle Bowen of Newport Beach, CA and Red Oak, IA passed away peacefully in the care of Sunny Crest Hospice and Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny, Iowa on August 2, 2016. Belle was born August 5, 1918 in Red Oak the daughter of Ray and Elsie (Braden) Johnson of Elliott, IA. Before graduating high school in Red Oak in 1936, she had already started her long career in the waitressing profession. When she was 18 years old, Belle drove her 1934 Chevy to California vowing to never live another winter in Iowa. Belle met and fell in love with Hugh Bowen in Costa Mesa, CA. They were married in November of 1946. Hugh raised and trained hunting dogs and provided hunting excursions. Belle was a beloved waitress at some fine places in Costa Mesa and then Newport Beach where they relocated. Most patrons, including some celebrities, knew Belle as a valued waitress at Mi Casa, a Mexican restaurant which is still known as one of the top in the Costa Mesa/ Newport Beach area. At "normal" retirement age, when others start taking it easy, Belle began her second career as a care provider. In 1997, she began her last employment as a nanny for a family's daughter and soon became "like a family member". She was with them until December 2004 when she moved to Red Oak to live with and help care for her brother Carl Johnson. He suffered a stroke virtually as her plane was landing in Omaha and never recovered. Having already sold or gifted a lot of her possessions and moving the rest to Red Oak, she decided to stay in Carl's home, making it her own. It was a difficult move for her. She not only left her home in sunny California and moved back to Iowa in the middle of December, she also left the family she worked for and loved, along with many wonderful and loving close friends. Among her treasures were boxes of pictures of parties and cards from her California friends. They all talked about how they loved her and one person summed it up by saying, "You are a blessing to all who know you and will be to all who meet you". No truer words were ever spoken, as those who met her in Red Oak loved her too. She loved having company and when asked how she was, she always replied, "Wonderful"! Her great smile and perpetually positive attitude will always be missed by those who are left missing her. A lifelong democrat, she made sure she was registered to vote and was happy to see that Hillary Clinton was nominated for President this year. She wore her Hillary for President t-shirt with pride. Belle was preceded in death by her husband: Hugh Bowen; step-son: George Wadman of Bakersfield, CA; sister: Josephine Parker of Commerce, TX; and brothers: Milo Johnson of San Juan, NM; Dan Johnson and Carl O. Johnson both of Red Oak, IA. Belle is survived by her step-son: Hugh "Possum" Wadman of Garden City, ID; brother: Win Johnson of Virginia Beach, VA; 4 step-grandchildren; and 11 nieces and nephews who knew and loved her. The family would like to thank the many people who visited her in Red Oak, stayed in touch from California, and cared for her at the Good Samaritan in Red Oak and the Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny. Celebration of life services will be held 2 PM Saturday, September 3, 2016 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak, Iowa. Burial of the cremated remains will take place in the Hillside Cemetery at Elliott, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation:
Date: 9/3/2016 Time: 1-2 PM Comments: Family will be present during visitation. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel 410 N 6th Street Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Service:
Date: 9/3/2016 Time: 2 PM Comments: Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel 410 N. 6th Street Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Burial:
Date: 9/3/2016 Time: Following services Comments: Elliott Hillside Cemetery Elliott, IA Location Comments: State Hwy 48 (located on the SE corner) Get a Map Driving Directions
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