Obit: Bowen, Lester J. #2 (1916 - 2007)

Contact:  R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BJERKE-ULLIMAN, BOWEN, LECK, MESKE, MOORE, MYRE, PEISSIG, SMITH

----Sources: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, Wis.) Vol. 47, No. 27, Wed., Jul 4, 2007, p 8

Bowen, Lester J. (08 Jan 1916 - 30 Jun 2007)

Lester J. Bowen, 91, Curtiss, died Saturday, June 30, 2007, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, July 5th, at Maurina Funeral Home, Abbotsford and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 6th, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Curtiss, Wis. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Curtiss, Wis. Reverend Kris Bjerke-Ullman will preside.

Pallbearers will be Marvin Saari, Ron Frohling, Richard Lund, Aaron Sperduto, Jeff Bowen and John Wantlin. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard and Audrey Decker, Duane Radsek, Carl Jakel, Marty Myre, Emil Unteidt and Hilarion Michlig. Flower girls will be Linda Broeske, Barb Wachsmuth, Pattie Shoot, Robin Espino and Sue Gray.

Les was born January 8th, 1916, in Crawford County to Harlow and Ethel (Smith) BOwen, Wis. In 1919, the Bowen Family moved to a farm three and one half miles North of Curtiss, Wis.

Les and Hilda Peissig were married September 19th, 1949. Hilda preceded Les in death on November 14th, 2006.

In 1930, Les stated to haul milk. He owned and operated Bowen Transit and Elevator Inc., Bou-Matic Milking Systems and also a dealer of Ski-Doo Snowmobiles. He owned Bowen Leasing, and was the founder of the Olde Saloon Bar & Restaurant and the Curtiss Hotel & Bar.

Les belonged to and helped organize many organizations. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served on the council, served on the village of Curtiss Board and was president and trustee for numerous years, helped organize and served as president of the Curtiss Community club; Tri-County Feed Dealers Association; served on the board of directors for Schuld Manufacturing of Mosinee; helped organize and was president for 10 years of the Boom-Town Snow-Chasers Inc., and was a charter member and served for five years for Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Council.

He helped organize and was president and lifetime member of the Lake Esadore Association; director for Right Way Manufacturing of Owen; a board member of the Owen Watershed Association, Clark County Tavern League and on the board of directors since 1984 and now an honorary director; Colby Lions Club Charter Member; Curtiss Lions Club Charter Member, including receiving the Melvin Jones Award; a member of the Tri-County Antique Auto Club; Pine Creek Riders, Rip-Riders Snowmobile Club, and was a lifetime member of the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Eagle River; Starting in January of 2008, the Governor of Snow-mobiling Les Bowen Trophy will be presented to the Grand Championship race winner. He was a ember of the Black River Sportsmen’s Club, Withee and a director f for the Clark County Economic Development Corp.

Les is survived by his children, Dennis (Patti) Bowen of Wausau and Idelle Myere of Owen; his special friend and companion, Lila Meske of Curtiss; seven grandchildren, Jeff, Jody, Paige, Tana, Marty, Traci and Toni; twelve great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; on brother, Robert (Sherin) Bowen of Stevens Point and one sister, Loretta Leck of Vanderbilt, PA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda; one son, Dale; his brothers, Donald, Millard and Floyd; one sister, Velma Moore and one granddaughter, Dawn.

Maurina-Community Funeral Home is assisting the family.

A memorial will be established at a later date.

Paid Obituary 27-723303