Amy Webster Bowman

Amy Melinda Webster Bowman passed away Saturday September 06, 2008, at the age of 85. She was born September 19, 1922 at Glendale, Idaho the oldest daughter of Denton Mendenhall and Melinda Alice Larsen Webster. Her father was a widower whose first wife had died in childbirth leaving him with three young children. Because her mother had known and respected his first wife, she was named Amy after her. Amy was raised and educated in Glendale on the banks of what is now the Glendale reservoir. The reservoir was built in 1927, which then separated them from the school and the church. That meant that they had to walk two miles up and around the reservoir or go by boat to school or church. In the winter time they would ride horses to school. She graduated from the Eighth grade and moved onto High School. Shortly after, her mother became ill and she was needed to care for the children, so she dropped out. In the fall, she decided to get a job instead of returning to High School. As a young girl, she loved being outdoors and loved spending time with her dad. It never made a difference what they were doing as long as it was outside. She would haul hay and milk cows. She loved riding horses and taking care of them. As she became a teenager she began working odd jobs including driving a team of horses for a farmer while he broadcast seed for 15 cents a day and riding a grain harvester, tying bags of wheat as they came out of the hopper. She also worked as a cook at a hotel in Preston that was a boarding house for the railroad men.She later worked for the Remington Arms Co., were she made bullets for 50 caliber machine guns in Salt Lake City. In 1943, based on the decision of the flip of a coin, she and a girlfriend took off hitchhiking for Seattle, Washington were she went to work as a Riveter at the Boeing Air Field. In late 1943 she was reunited with an old boyfriend Glen Bowman who was from Cub River, when it was discovered that he was also stationed at Boeing Air Field while serving in the Army. They were married April 15, 1944 in Seattle, Washington. The marriage was later solemnized on their wedding anniversary April 15, 1966 in the Logan LDS Temple. Glen and Amy were blessed with three children; Sandy Goodsell, Gary Bowman, and Shirley Bowman, their special needs daughter who was the light of their lives.Amy worked alongside her husband for many years helping to build the family farm and to raise their three children. Often times it meant doing it on her own while Glen was working away from home. After her children were grown she worked for a few years for Hobbs in the Mink farms in Franklin and then for Cache Valley Dairy in Amalga. She worked for the dairy for almost 18 years until her health forced her retirement. Amy was an active member of the LDS church and held many positions over the years. Her most cherished church callings were that of Ward Music Director, which she held for 21 years and Relief Society chorister for 15 years in the Mapleton ward. Amy loved music and singing and would often be found with her guitar in hand singing for a church or social function, wedding or funeral. Or, with a group of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren, gathered around her singing a traditional old favorite song. As a young girl, her father bought her the guitar that she has continued to use up to her very last days for $15 from a Sears and Roebuck catalog. No matter where life took her, that guitar was with her. She last played her guitar just one month ago at the funeral of her own husband Glen. Amy is survived by two daughters Sandy Goodsell of Logan, Utah and Shirley Bowman of Cub River; one son Gary and daughter-in-law Jeri Bowman of Cub River. She is also survived by one brother; Weldon Webster (MaryAnn) of Salt Lake City, Utah; 7 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; five brothers and three sisters. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to all the wonderful staff at the Logan Regional Hospital and to all the nursing staff who has dedicated themselves to the hospice service they provided so faithfully. You truly made a difficult journey much easier for Amy and the family. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday September 09, 2008 at the Mapleton Ward Chapel in Cub River, with Bishop Randy Halford conducting. Friends may call at the Webb Mortuary in Preston on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Mapleton Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.webbmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials may be made in Amy's name to the Cache Employment and Training Center at 275 W. 400 S. Logan, Utah 84321 or to a charity of your choice. This organization was special to Amy for all that they have done for Shirley and for all the other Special needs kids in the area.