Evelyn Bowen, age 103, of Scenic, South Dakota, died on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Military graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 17, at the Scenic Cemetery with Pastor Chris Clark officiating.
Evelyn Bowen was born April 9, 1921, in Salinas, California to Ethel and Grover Tholke. She was the youngest of two daughters. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up on the family ranch that was established in the 1850’s by her grandfather. Evelyn attended school in Salinas and graduated from Salinas High School in 1939. After graduation from high school, she attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles for two years. Evelyn then attended Salinas Community College.
On August 6, 1943, she enlisted into the United States Army Signal Corp. During her service in the Signal Corp., she sent and received coded messages as a high-speed radio operator. She also intercepted and decoded enemy transmissions. During her service in the Army, she married Glen Edward Bowen in Petaluma, California on September 14, 1944. She finished her service to her country and was honorably discharged from the Signal Corp. on December 9, 1945.
After WWII, Glen and Evelyn moved to the ranch near Salinas, California. They moved into the bunk house and began to make it their home. On March 2, 1947, Glen and Evelyn were blessed with a son, William (Billy) Henry Bowen. Evelyn worked for Monterey County as the first female appraiser. After retiring from her county position, Glen and Evelyn began raising kiwi fruit on their ranch near Salinas. A few years into the kiwi growing business, Glen and Evelyn sold the kiwi ranch and moved to the city of Salinas.
Evelyn lost her husband on September 26, 1986, after 42 years of marriage. She continued to live in Salinas until 2003, when she moved to South Dakota to be closer to her family. In the summer of 2018, Evelyn moved to the family farm near Scenic to live out her final years. During her time in the Scenic area, she often expressed her love for the land and community she was a part of. Her smile and wave from her front deck will be missed by family, friends, and neighbors.
Evelyn had a love for agriculture, horses, birds, her yard, gardening, and flowers. She was deeply admired, loved, and treasured by her family and friends.
Survivors include her daughter-in-law Donna Bowen of Wall; two grandchildren Matt Bowen and his wife Andrea of Scenic, and Tessa Ann Albrecht and her husband Kirk of Wellington, Colorado; four great-grandchildren Seth and Addy Bowen and Nora and Mia Albrecht; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Glenn Edward Bowen in 1986; her son William Henry Bowen in 1985; her parents; and one sister Marjorie Hardy.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
