Johnny W. Bowen, age 93, died Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. Johnny "JB" was born on July 6, 1919 on a farm located in Clare Township, Moody County, SD to Frank and Theresa (Ashauer) Bowen. When Johnny was 13 his parents purchased and moved the family to a farm 6 ½ miles west of Flandreau. He was a lifelong resident of Moody County, SD, except for the last two months. He attended the Bolles and Bell rural county schools and received his 8th grade diploma in 1933. In June of this year he became a resident of the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. Being the oldest in the family, Johnny did not continue on with higher education. His father needed his assistance with the farming operation. This was the beginning of his farming trade that continued into his 90's. During his teenage years he also worked at the Lone Tree Station for his uncle Lloyd. In the mid 1930's he was employed by the WPA and drove a gravel truck, working with the construction and completion of the road through Mud Lake. In 1942 he went into farming on his own. He purchased his first tractor, a 1942 Farmall H that he still had at the time of his death. With much help from his son Doug, he continued to farm until the age of 92. On September 28, 1944 John married his neighborhood sweetheart, Jean Davis at Flandreau. To this union 5 children were born. In 1946 they moved to a farm 1 ½ miles west of Colman. This would be where they raised their family. In 1977 John and Jean built a new home and moved to Colman where John resided until early this spring. Jean preceded him in death on March 27, 2011. For 20 plus years John was employed by T&R Service, Colman. He enjoyed his work as the groundskeeper and laundry attendant. John truly loved and enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Seldom would he miss attending their family gatherings, church, school and sports activities. Besides his true passion for family and farming, John was an avid Pinochle and Pitch champ. Playing cards with the younger generation at the local convenient store was in fact his favorite pastime. He was also a Minnesota Twins fan. With a keen memory, jovial personality, his friendly and talkative ways he could strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone about anything and everything, even if he didn't know the person. Johnny left a lasting impression. Wearing his striped overalls and his cap tilted to the side, Johnny will be remembered for his pull-on-the-horn greeting along with his warm smile. He truly will be missed by all his family and friends. Johnny was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, Colman.

Grateful for having shared his life are his daughters, Sharon (Alvin) Gullickson, Colman, and Susan (Jim) Thompson, Colman; sons Gary Bowen, Sioux Falls, Doug (Julie) Bowen, Chester; seventeen grandchildren, and twenty-seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, a sister Delores Johnson, Flandreau and a brother Vern Bowen, St. Simons Island, GA. Johnny was preceded in death by his wife Jean, an infant daughter, a great-granddaughter, Taylor Haug, his parents and a brother Kenneth.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Saturday, September 8, 2012 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Colman with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 4:30-7:00 pm Friday at the church with a 7:00 pm scripture service.