The funeral service for Evelyn Bowman Smith, 86, of St. Paul, formerly of Marshall and Cottonwood, will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Marshall. A walk through visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will follow the service at the Cottonwood City Cemetery. Masks are required at all indoor events and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Evelyn Bowman Smith, age 86, died with her family present on Jan 30th after a year-long struggle with brain cancer. She was born on Oct. 3rd, 1934 in Hominy Oklahoma to Walter and Opal Baker. At age eight, Evelyn and her family moved to Altamont, Kansas. She described waiting for her youngest baby brother to be born before the family could move. Evelyn spent all of her school years in Altamont and graduated from Altamont High School in 1952. Evelyn focused on business, learning shorthand, typing and accounting. After high school Evelyn worked at an accounting firm as a secretary in Altamont. On December 23, 1953 Evelyn married Leo Bowman who had been her high school prom date. They made their home in Ottawa, Kansas. Evelyn continued her secretarial work until she became a mother of three sons: Vic, Greg and Chris. Throughout these years the family moved to Michigan, West Virginia, Iowa and eventually Minnesota. Evelyn was adept at quickly creating a lovely home wherever life found her. Evelyn again pursued a career outside of the home when her sons began high school. She worked in Lyon County and Dakota County Social Services. Evelyn’s good friend Shirley Utzinger was a great mentor for her. Evelyn moved through the ranks to the leadership role of Unit Supervisor for Dakota County Social Services. After retirement, life brought Evelyn another gift when she met and married Al Smith. They made their home in Cottonwood and Marshall, MN. With Al, she also gained his family of five children: Keven and Kendra Smith, Kirk and Lou Ann Smith, Kelly and Chris Smith, Karleen and John Clemens, Kari and Mike Snyder, and sixteen grandchildren. She loved being part of the Smith family, and especially enjoyed their annual family reunions in Alexandria. Music and singing were a constant in Evelyn’s life. Her sons remember her singing “Que Sera, Sera” throughout their childhood. Evelyn sang in the choir at her church, and even when she was in Hospice, she was singing show-tunes, carols and hymns. Evelyn loved to travel. She went to Japan, Scotland, Hawaii and practically every other state over the years. Evelyn preferred driving trips enabling her to stop wherever she wanted. She also loved camping, which she had done with her family for entire summers when her sons were growing up. Spending time with her family, especially the Smith and Bowman grandchildren, was Evelyn’s favorite activity. Evelyn loved to play board games and cards with her grandchildren at her place at the lake. She loved to read and was a huge movie buff. Ask Evelyn about a movie star and she knew their history. Cary Grant was her favorite leading man. Evelyn was also a great cook and made her table special for all her guests over the years.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill, sisters Christine and Margorie and her husband Al Smith. Left to mourn her passing are her children: Vic and Mary Bowman of St. Paul, MN, Greg and Pastor Mary Ann Bowman of Frederic, WI and Chris and Kim Bowman of Dell Rapids, SD. She has one surviving brother, Walter Jr. Baker and sister-in-law Vanessa Baker, brother in-law Ralph Powers and sister-in-law Delores Baker. She has six grandchildren: Brynn Bowman, Tom Bowman, Brittany Bowman, Liz Bowman, Angela (Lee) Walsh and Katlyn (Michael Turner) Bowman. She also has six great grandchildren.
Our special thanks to Our Lady of Peace Hospice in Saint Paul, MN. With their help, particularly Nurse Kae, Aide Sheri, Massage Therapist Mary, and Music Therapist Lydia, Evelyn was able to stay at home with her son and her life was greatly enriched. Additional thanks to Emily, an incredible care provider and friend to Evelyn. Her family asks that any donations be made to Our Lady of Peace Hospice in Saint Paul: 2076 St Anthony Ave, St Paul, MN 55104, or Cornerstone United Methodist Church: 202 N 4th St in Marshall.
