In Memory Of
Alice L. Bowser
1938
2024
Alice L. Bowser
May 28, 1938 — August 12, 2024
Alice Louise Bowser passed away unexpectedly, following a stroke, on August 12, 2024, surrounded by her family at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.
Alice was born on May 28,1938, to George and Mary (Yoder) Robinson in Emmett, Idaho. She grew up in Soldier, Kansas on a dairy farm. On June 29, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Bowser.
Alice cared about animals and was especially concerned about the treatment of farm animals, which led her to become a vegetarian. She was passionate about cats and cared for many neighborhood strays over the years, even adopting a couple into her home.
Alice attended Washburn University for three years before enrolling in the Stormont Vail School of Nursing. There she completed the registered nurse program. She worked for the Topeka Shawnee Health Agency for 20 years, 15 of which she served as a liaison at St. Francis Hospital. To spend more time with her grandchildren, she retired early.
During her life Alice was involved in many church activities including teaching Sunday school, women’s groups, and committees. She was currently a member of the First Congregational Church of Topeka, Kansas.
When their boys were young, Alice always looked forward to loading up their sedan and pop-up camper every summer for a two-week vacation to the mountains and beyond for hiking, backpacking, rock hunting, and enjoying nature. After the boys had moved out, she and Larry continued traveling, climbing several 14ers in Colorado, going whale watching, taking a special trip on a tall ship schooner, and joining her boys and their families for trips.
By her family, she will be most remembered for being the best mother and grandmother any child could have. She was never too busy to be involved in their adventures. Grandma’s house was always full of fun with arts and crafts, Scrabble games, fort building, pool activities and learning to love the natural world. As her family grew, she kept in touch with frequent cards, letters and texts.
For the past five years, Alice and Larry have lived at Brewster Place in Topeka, where she really enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. She especially enjoyed the fitness classes, the arts and crafts studio, and taking walks on the campus. Her generous, lively spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Alice is survived by her husband of 67 years, Larry Bowser; four sons Scott (Mary) of Quincy, MO, Brad (Lyla) of Wamego, KS, Dirk (Leslie) of Topeka, KS, Dan (Tami) of Hollandale, WI; and daughter-in-law Theresa of Lecompton, KS. Also, 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and her siblings Jean Robinson of Hays, KS, Bryce (Jeanne) Robinson of Cedar Falls, IA, Lucy Schmidt of Hays, KS, Gerri (Michael) Carlisle of Lawrence, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents George and Mary Robinson, sister Ann Tregellas, and brother-in-law Dennis Schmidt.
It was Alice’s wish that her family gather privately for a celebration of life.
Suggested memorials to:
The Helping Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604Topeka Community Cat Fix 2155 SW Westport Dr #114 Topeka, KS 66614
A special thank you from the family to the wonderful staff at Brewster Place and the nurses at St. Francis.
Alice was born on May 28,1938, to George and Mary (Yoder) Robinson in Emmett, Idaho. She grew up in Soldier, Kansas on a dairy farm. On June 29, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry Bowser.
Alice cared about animals and was especially concerned about the treatment of farm animals, which led her to become a vegetarian. She was passionate about cats and cared for many neighborhood strays over the years, even adopting a couple into her home.
Alice attended Washburn University for three years before enrolling in the Stormont Vail School of Nursing. There she completed the registered nurse program. She worked for the Topeka Shawnee Health Agency for 20 years, 15 of which she served as a liaison at St. Francis Hospital. To spend more time with her grandchildren, she retired early.
During her life Alice was involved in many church activities including teaching Sunday school, women’s groups, and committees. She was currently a member of the First Congregational Church of Topeka, Kansas.
When their boys were young, Alice always looked forward to loading up their sedan and pop-up camper every summer for a two-week vacation to the mountains and beyond for hiking, backpacking, rock hunting, and enjoying nature. After the boys had moved out, she and Larry continued traveling, climbing several 14ers in Colorado, going whale watching, taking a special trip on a tall ship schooner, and joining her boys and their families for trips.
By her family, she will be most remembered for being the best mother and grandmother any child could have. She was never too busy to be involved in their adventures. Grandma’s house was always full of fun with arts and crafts, Scrabble games, fort building, pool activities and learning to love the natural world. As her family grew, she kept in touch with frequent cards, letters and texts.
For the past five years, Alice and Larry have lived at Brewster Place in Topeka, where she really enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. She especially enjoyed the fitness classes, the arts and crafts studio, and taking walks on the campus. Her generous, lively spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Alice is survived by her husband of 67 years, Larry Bowser; four sons Scott (Mary) of Quincy, MO, Brad (Lyla) of Wamego, KS, Dirk (Leslie) of Topeka, KS, Dan (Tami) of Hollandale, WI; and daughter-in-law Theresa of Lecompton, KS. Also, 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren (with one on the way), and her siblings Jean Robinson of Hays, KS, Bryce (Jeanne) Robinson of Cedar Falls, IA, Lucy Schmidt of Hays, KS, Gerri (Michael) Carlisle of Lawrence, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents George and Mary Robinson, sister Ann Tregellas, and brother-in-law Dennis Schmidt.
It was Alice’s wish that her family gather privately for a celebration of life.
Suggested memorials to:
The Helping Hands Humane Society 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604Topeka Community Cat Fix 2155 SW Westport Dr #114 Topeka, KS 66614
A special thank you from the family to the wonderful staff at Brewster Place and the nurses at St. Francis.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alice L. Bowser, please visit our flower store.
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