Norman E. Bowen, age 87, of Durand, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2014, with his family by his side.

Norm was born on April 14, 1927, in Naples, South Dakota. He was the youngest of eight children born to parents Christian and Martha Jenette Bowen.

 Norm served in the Army during World War II in the Pacific theater. After the war, he was a member of the Occupation Forces of Japan. He was honorably discharged and moved to Minneapolis to attend the Minnesota School of Business. Upon graduation, he took a job at Twin City Arsenal as administrative assistant. Norm married Jeanette Molinaro on May 31, 1952. When the Arsenal closed, Norm took a job with Firestone. In 1960, Norm and Jeanette moved to Durand, where he worked at Bauer Built for 32 years, retiring as sales manager. During this time, Norm also owned the East Side Grocery and raised six children.

 Norm enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and playing cards as well as spending time at his cabin in Eau Galle, his daughter's farm, and the hunting shack.

 He is survived by his wife Jeanette, his six children, Laurie (Jeff) Madsen, of Wilmington, NC; Kathy (Bob) Pattison, of Durand; Cheryl May, of Elk Grove, IL; Karen (Charlie) Sinz, of Eau Galle; Doug Bowen, of Eau Claire; and Rhonda (Joel) Fait, of Middleton. Norm adored his thirteen grandchildren: Renee, Tony, Denise, Tyler, Craig (Lauren), Shelly (Tyler), Chris, Joshua, Tawny (Joel), Jared, Tashia, Kyle, and Drew, and his three great-grandchildren, Madeline, Alyssa, and Mason.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, three brothers, and his son-in-law Jerry May.

 Norm's family extends special thanks to Mary Jo LaBair and the wonderful staff at Flo's in Durand for the love, care, and comfort they gave to Norm during his last months.

 Funeral Services will be 11:30 AM Friday, October 3, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand. Rev. Paul Bosco will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Durand American Legion Post #181 of Durand. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Thursday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

 Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.

Condolences

1. cheryl September 29, 2023, at 9:25am

   hi dad it's been nine years that I haven't heard your voice. I hope heaven is everything that I was taught .
   I think of you a lot because I know you Love history and what is going on today its gonna surprise everybody. Love you

2. Cheryl R May May 1, 2023, at 8:45am

   hi Dad love and miss you

3. cheryl May September 29, 2019, at 11:26am

   hi dad , it’s been 5 years ago today that i said goodbye. I miss your jokes and laughs and your history stories. I hope you are sharing your stories in heaven.
   love your daughter, cheryl

4. Cheryl May June 26, 2019, at 4:24pm

   Hi Dad, moms birthday is tomorrow so I was writing her and wanted to say hi to you . I miss you everyday and love you . bye for now. Love Cheryl

5. Cheryl June 16, 2019, at 10:02am

   Happy Father’s Day dad miss you every day . Remembering when we danced in the living room with your favorite song Sicilia. Love you

6. Cheryl May April 16, 2019, at 8:03pm

   Hi Dad, I wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Miss you every day and I love you. Thank you for working hard to make a good life for us. ❤️❤️❤️

7. Cheryl September 13, 2018, at 11:47am

   Hi dad just want to let you know mom should be with you now. I hope heaven is all that we dream and you two are happy.
   Miss you both

8. Jay & Lina Trinko and Mercedes McCarthy October 20, 2014, at 9:34am

   Norm was a good man that will certainly be missed. He did however, leave us with the best legacy possible. A family of kind, generous and wonderful people anyone could have the pleasure of knowing.

9. N perez October 8, 2014, at 11:51am

   I am so sorry to have read of your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. Something that I have personally found to be of great comfort is what the Bible says at John 5:28, 29 as well as Revelation 21:4. These verses show us that soon God is going to bring about a resurrection of our loved ones as well as do away with all causes we have for suffering including sickness and death. Knowing this has always comforted me and it is my sincere hope that these thoughts comfort your family as well. Again I am so sorry for your loss.

10. Carolyn (Kothbauer) Peterson October 3, 2014, at 10:59am

    Laurie, I am so sorry to hear about your dad passing away. We know this is the "circle of life" but it doesn't take away the pain of knowing they have left this earth. I think about my mom and dad in heaven. I have great memories of them and I am sure you do too of your dad. I know I spent a penny or two at the store back in the day. There were many mornings of getting off the bus, sprinting to the little store, buying all sorts of candy, sprinting back to school just in time to hear the bell ring, and then handing out the stash to every body. I wanted you to know I was thinking about you. Take care of yourself and cherish every memory made.

11. Barry and Lana Schwellenbach October 2, 2014, at 10:26pm

    With deepest sympathy for your loss.

12. Audrey (Fedie) Jaenke October 2, 2014, at 9:00am

    Rhonda and Bowen family,

    So very sorry for your loss. I remember from gatherings at the cabin how full of life Norm was.

    Prayers are with you all!

13. Pam Walker October 2, 2014, at 7:29am

    Cheryl & Craig,
    I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts & I pray you are given the strength to make it through this tough time.

14. Kathy Brenner Kranz October 1, 2014, at 9:53am

    Jeanette, Laurie, Kathy and family,
    So sorry for your loss. Your husband/dad/grandpa was a very special person. Special memories when you had the "little" store and spending all my allowance there. Blessings to you all.

15. Thom Rutherford September 30, 2014, at 6:08pm

    Sorry to hear of your loss of a GREAT guy!!!
    Norman was a friend, great business man with a wonderful personality and fellow employee when I flew for Bauer Built.
    I was also your paper boy as a child.
    All the best to you the family!!! Thom.

16. Jeff Schroeder September 30, 2014, at 2:48pm

    My sincerest sympathies to the entire Bowen family. Norm and Jeanette were always extremely kind to me as the teenage boy growing up next door. Their kindness and generosity continued into my adult life with Norm helping me secure a job with Bauer Built. I enjoyed working with Norm, and he was always willing to listen and share his knowledge while sprinkling in some whit and quick humor. I can't help but laugh thinking back on the days when Doug and I hung out with Norm and Galen. Those two were quite a pair together. I will unfortunately not be able to attend the wake or funeral. My thought and prayers are with you. Norm will always be in my memories.

    Jeff Schroeder

17. Gail and Phil September 30, 2014, at 7:30am

    Dear Aunt Jeannette and family,
    May God bless you during this sad sad time. Not long before Dad passed away he was recounting the times he and Norm had while fishing together. It was a happy memory for him.
    We know your family's love and strength is his legacy to you. Love, Gail and Phil

18. John Judy parr September 29, 2014, at 7:46pm

    Our sympathy is with you

19. Juanita IkutaSchodde September 29, 2014, at 7:43pm

    A much, much "beloved" man! How I loved, Normie!
    Our most sincere condolences,
    ~ Juanita IkutaSchodde & family
    *I'm certain my father was there with open arms.

20. Drew and Kyle Fait September 29, 2014, at 6:50pm

    Hi Grandpa: We will miss you very much..we caught our first fish with you on the pontoon boat.. We know you are now in good hands so please look out for us..Love Kyle and Drew

21. Cheryl May September 29, 2014, at 6:06pm

    I love and miss you dad

22. Leslie Farmer September 29, 2014, at 11:58am

    Dear Rhonda, Jeanette and Bowen Family,
    I know you will miss Norm dearly--he was always very kind to me and my family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Love,
    Leslie, Jim, Rick and Bill

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