Obituary for Rebecca Kaye 'Becky' Bowman
Rebecca Kaye Bowman peacefully passed away on July 20, 2024.
Rebecca (Becky) was born July 20th, 1941, in Livingston, MT to Lloyd Maxton (Max) and Hazel Daniel. Truly a day that would live in infamy, December 7th, 1941, would forever change many lives, including the Daniels. Max was aboard the USS Arizona during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and declared lost at sea. Hazel, a widow at 23, was left to raise Becky and her sister, Lynn Carole.
A humble childhood, Becky remembered attending 12 different schools in 12 years. They lived a time in Montana, California, Washington, Oregon and Oklahoma.
Following graduation from high school in Vancouver, WA, she came to stay with her grandmother, Ruby Hauser. Becky helped with cabin rentals at the Mount Contact property up the Main Boulder. She always thought of Montana as God's country and where she wanted to be.
In 1959 she married Dennis L. Beer and to this union four children were born. Becky was quick to say these children were the best thing that ever happened to her. She was young at the time, and they all essentially grew up together. She totally supported their sporting events to include football, basketball, track, softball and motorcycle competitions.
Her original job was writing for the Big Timber Pioneer and also as bookkeeper/scheduler for Dennis' trucking business, Big Timber Truck Lines. Dennis and Becky would later divorce.
Her family was a charter member of Sweet Grass Recreation Association and cherished time spent together and with friends in the mountains, recreating and snowmobiling. She was a proud member of the Slough Creek Raiders. One of her favorite quotes was “I ain’t never had too much fun in the powder with the Beers".
In 1969 she started her banking career as a bookkeeper at Citizens Bank-& Trust Co. in Big Timber. She was honored to eventually be appointed President of that bank and after retirement she worked as Secretary to the Board until she recently resigned that position and was appointed as a Board Member at Large just before her death. Becky contributed to the bank for 55 years.
She married William G. (Bill) Bowman in 1984. Together, they built a home on the West Boulder River. After that sold, they built a home on Little Mission Creek. It was there that Bill built a shop to follow his lifelong desire to build lodgepole furniture. Becky enjoyed working along side, he dubbed her his master floor sweeper/painter.
Following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake Becky most generously financed several dozen dresses and t-shirts sent to Haitian children. She also paid for materials to make over 140 quilts for children in need. Becky willingly shared anything she had with family and others. She frequently said, “I don’t have much, but what I do have is yours”. She was loving, kind, generous and always willing to help. She will be missed.
Becky liked family gatherings/card games, walks with her dog, Hobo, dancing with Bill, reading and traveling.
Becky is survived by her children: Douglas L (Brenda) Beer of Lethbridge, Alberta, Deborah Kaye Beer of Billings, MT., Dusty (Joy) Beer and Donald C. (Andrea) Beer all of Columbus, MT., a sister Lynn (Paul) Shafer of Billings, Mt., a brother Dennis (Sheila) Kayser and sister Pamela Pealer both of Iowa. Three stepchildren, Patrick (Marilyn) Bowman of Edgar, MT., Mike Bowman of McLeod, MT., and Brenda (Dave) Wetstein of Joliet, MT. Many cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, William G Bowman, her mother and father, a brother, David A. Lemmons, and grandson Jonn Beer.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday July 26, 2024 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. A reception will follow downstairs at the American Legion Post #19.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Becky’s name may be made to the Stafford Animal Shelter, 3 Business Park Rd, Livingston, MT 59047.
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Previous Events
Funeral Service
Friday
26
Jul
1:00 PM
- 1:45 PM
Big Timber Lutheran Church
115 West 4th Avenue
PO Box 278
Big Timber, MT 59011
Reception
Friday
26
Jul
2:00 PM
- 4:00 PM
American Legion Post #19
110 East 3rd Avenue
Big Timber, MT 59011
Memorial Contribution
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