Virginia Bowman

Virginia M. (Lee) Bowman's courageous battle with cancer ended on Sept. 19, 2013, at her home in Mountain Home, at the age of 76.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Inurnment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Virginia Mae Lee was born in Noonan, N.D., on Feb. 5, 1937, to Edwin and Inga (Peterson) Lee. She was an only child.

It was in Shelby, Montana, where Virgie met and dated Roy Bowman. On Aug. 7, 1953, Virgie married (Marion Leroy) Roy Bowman. They were married almost 46 years at the time of Roy's death in 1999.

Virgie was an Air Force wife. That meant moving to a variety of locations, including England for two separate tours, Michigan, New York, California and Idaho, where they would eventually retire from the military.

During her years in Mountain Home, Virgie raised many animals including ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, goats and pigs. For many years she also raised a large garden and canned.

She later spent her time on her rentals and refunding.

Virgie loved to play Pinochle, Scrabble and working crossword puzzles. She kept up with everything going on in the world by watching a variety of news shows. Over the years Virgie collected a variety of things including Pillsbury Doughboy items, spoons and antiques.

Virgie was always a generous person. For many years she would get the names of families who were down on their luck and Virgie would do Christmas for as many as possible. She would shop for bargains and refunds to get free items so she could provide for those less fortunate.

Virgie dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took pride in her family and all that was accomplished by each member. Her favorite times were when her family gathered and she was surrounded by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Virgie was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

She is survived by her children, Michael Bowman (Christine) of Boise, Dee Arting (George) of North Las Vegas, Nev., and Randy Bowman (Theresa) of Mountain Home.

She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Chuck Bowman (Brooke and daughters Julia and Samantha), of Piedmont, S.C., Ian Arting of Lompoc, Calif., Christopher Bowman (son Cory) of Mountain Home, Christy Bowman (Kenny Smith, sons Logan and Mathew) of Mountain Home, Kirk Bowman (daughter Preslee) of Mountain Home, Aaron Arting (Sheena and son Colin) of Albuquerque, N.M., Monica Welsh (Jon and children Bella, Lexi and Vinny) of Boise, Hannah Bowman of Boise and Jeremiah Bowman of Boise.

Virgie's family loved her as much as she loved them. They miss their mom, grandma and WaWa and wish her peace in her new home.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke's MSTI or Life's Doors Hospice Care.