Frances Fay Bower

SIOUX CITY -- Frances Fay Bower, 93, of Sioux City died peacefully Saturday evening, April 28, 2012.
Service will be 11 a.m. Friday at Salix Community United Methodist Church in Salix, Iowa. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City.
Frances was born on Monday, Dec. 2, 1918, in Sioux City, and was the oldest daughter of Ralph and Mattie Frances (Hoxie) Betsworth. She attended Crescent Park Elementary School, North Junior High School and Central High School, all in Sioux City. She was the oldest of six siblings and two adopted cousins and enjoyed being close with her immediate and extended family.
She attended one year at Central High School. When the effects of the Great Depression took hold, she left high school and began working for the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in downtown Sioux City. A few years later, at the age of 19, she married John A. Bower on Aug. 5, 1938. in Pender, Neb.
Frances had her first child, daughter LaDonna, in Sioux City, and shortly after began working for J.C. Penney Department Store in the shoes and women's clothing department. A few years later, she and the family spent some time on the West Coast, where her second child, son Larry, was born. Shortly after, the family moved back to Sioux City, and she resumed her job at J.C. Penney until she retired in 1977. She spent the last couple of years of her life living with her son, Larry, and his wife, Nancy, her grandson, James, and his wife, and four of her great-grandchildren, in Sioux City.
Frances had a strong devotion to her family, both as a child caring for many of her siblings and as an adult, caring for her children as well as her father after her mother passed away. Frances also enjoyed caring for her many nieces and nephews. She was particularly proud of and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and reserved a special place in her heart for the babies of the family.
Frances had a strong work ethic. In addition to being an exemplary employee, she was an accomplished housekeeper. She enjoyed cleaning, sewing, baking, and gardening, and she always offered to share her strengths with others, helping to mend clothing and sharing her homegrown, homemade delicacies.
Frances also had a strong sense of community. She was a member of Salix United Methodist Church, where she was involved in various volunteer activities in the church. She was a beloved member of the Salix community.
Although hardworking and determined, Frances also enjoyed relaxing and recreation. After retiring, she and John took trips around the country with their camper, visiting friends and family, boating and fishing, and catching up with their loved ones. When she could, she took the grandchildren along.
Frances also had a strong sense of commitment. She was married to John for 69 years and stood steadfastly by his side. She was a survivor, having lived through the Great Depression, World War II and the Korean War while her husband was in the U.S. Navy, overcoming a tornado that destroyed their house and all their belongings in 1994, and standing by her husband during his long battle with Alzheimer's disease. During tough times, she rolled up her sleeves to meet the challenge head-on. She will be greatly missed by all of her friends and family.
She is also survived by a daughter, LaDonna and Vale Smith of Chino, Calif.; a son, Larry John Bower of Sioux City; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Ruth Weis of Sioux City, and Margie and Robert McKenna of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
Preceding her in death were her husband; parents; two brothers, Donald Betsworth, and Ralph Betsworth; and two sisters, LaVonne Freemark, and Minnie Orr.
Pallbearers will be Craig Jensen, Marc Bower, Barry Bower, Ward Orr, Wesley Orr, and Brad Hoback. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandson James Bower, and great-grandsons Cole Hartkopp, Lucas Bower, Roy Prebble II, and Caleb Bower.