Marlene Bower

Our hearts are filled with sorrow to announce that Marlene Marie Bower, 73, of Worland, Wyoming, passed away on September 30, 2022, in Casper, Wyoming.

Marlene was born in Worland, Wyoming to Conrad and Denelda Brill on July 27, 1949. She was born in in the "Old Library" which was a hospital at that time. Marlene went to high school at Worland High School where she met the love of her life, Ray Bower, Jr. and graduated in 1967. She went on to attend college at Casper College and the University of Wyoming where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English along with her teacher's certificate in 1972. She went on to be an accountant-who knew?

In the fall of 1972, Ray and Marlene married in Worland, Wyoming. The wedding was arranged in a short matter of a few weeks so that they could be done in time for beet harvest. Marlene and Ray just celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year on September 16th. Marlene worked at a handful of jobs before settling in at Pepsi-Cola in Worland in 1986. She worked there until she retired in 2017.

Throughout Marlene's life, she was an avid volunteer for numerous organizations. Most recently, Marlene was on the Washakie Memorial Hospital Board as Treasurer, the Senior Center Board, P.E.O., and participated in VITA. She was a pillar to the Worland community. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't have a special memory of Marlene. To know her was to feel like you were part of her family. People always talk about how kind and generous she was with her time. Marlene taught her loved ones how to have grace and humility when life threw you curveballs. She was so loved and loving.

Marlene's favorite pastimes were enjoying coffee on her porch with loved ones, pretending to garden, beating everyone at cards, and being surrounded by good-hearted people. She loved making jewelry, being a night owl, bowling, getting her nails done, and family. Marlene and Ray provided a safe haven for all of their nieces and nephews, children, and friends. People always knew they would feel welcome at the Bowers'.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Ray Bower, Jr., sons, Jacob and Nicholas Bower, daughter Katy (Ron) Hayes, grandchildren, Cohen Hayes, Phaedra Hayes and Sailor Vigario, brother, Rick (Joyce) Brill, and aunt, Libbie (Chuck) Wilkie. Marlene had numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and surrogate children and grandchildren that number in the dozens and whom she loved dearly. Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Conrad and Denelda Brill, sister Donna (Dan) Koch, sister Sandra Whittle, and niece, Cheryl Koch.

Funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 8th at 2:00 p.m.

While it is certainly not expected, memorial donations may be made to the Worland Senior Center, 300 S. 14th St., Worland, WY, 82401. Marlene was always deeply moved by the Center's endeavors and would have liked to see this organization thrive.