JoAnn H. Bower

JoAnn H. Bower, 87, passed away peacefully at the Residency Care Center in Scottsbluff, NE on January 25th, 2025. She was welcomed into Heaven by the people she missed the most, her husband Larry, her parents Harry and Lydia, and her Lord Jesus Christ.

JoAnn was the oldest child born to Harry and Lydia (Feagler) Keller on October 30th, 1937, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

JoAnn met the love of her life Larry E. Bower in Lingle, WY in high school. She spoke of running a tractor in a field while Larry was running a tractor in a field across the road. They both knew then that they were a match made in Heaven. They married on December 9th, 1956 in Torrington, Wyoming. Larry was drafted into the Army and was shipped off to Korea immediately after their wedding. The honeymoon would wait until his return. They welcomed 4 children – Larry Wayne, Michael Wade, and Laurie who unfortunately passed away at 3 days old. JoAnn wanted a daughter with all her heart so 9 months to the day after the death of her daughter Laurie, Tamara Kay was born in Rapid City, SD where they drove to pick her up when she was 7 days old and adopted her immediately. Mom always knew God sent Tami just for her.

JoAnn attended school in Huntley, WY, Lyman, NE, and Lingle, WY where she graduated in 1956 and was crowned Homecoming queen her senior year. Larry and JoAnn lived in Veteran, WY until they moved their family to Worland in January 1965 and started farming on the Davis place until 1967 when they moved up to the Banjo along with JoAnn's parents Harry and Lydia. What a great way for her kids to grow up living across the road from their grandparents. Not many kids are that fortunate.

JoAnn was always busy in local clubs, Todays Homemakers, Soroptimist, Pinnacle clubs, and sat on the council for Job's Daughters. She was a Sunday School teacher for the little children of Zion Lutheran Church for many years. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her goodie trays at Christmas and her cabbage burgers. Every Christmas mom and her close friends Mary Laird and Delores Mead would get together to make numerous batches of glass candy. They had a blast doing this together. One year on her birthday, her friends wanted to take her out to lunch. Well, they were still digging beets and grandpa told her she needed to drive truck so they could get the beets in. That didn't stop her friends, they brought the birthday party to the beet truck and celebrated while she kept that truck moving!

JoAnn loved her family and always ensured they were taken care of no matter what. She was a wonderful caretaker to her parents and her husband while he battled cancer. She cooked everyone their favorite meals when they visited. She loved her friends as if they were family, there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them and their families. Seemed like there was always a reason to have a party with everyone! Fun times were had by all, and many memories were made!

Her life was full of love, happiness, and joy. She was truly an angel that walked on earth and will be deeply missed. She was our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother which we all were truly blessed for having in our lives. There will be a huge void in our hearts and lives, but we take comfort in knowing that we will see her again, because she knew Jesus and served him faithfully. Her legacy will truly live on forever in the hearts of her family and friends.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Larry Wayne and Ann of Boise, ID, Michael Wade of Davenport, FL, and Tamara "Tami" and Vince Salzman of Scottsbluff, NE. Grandchildren, Michael Wade Jr. and Ashlie Bower, Jace and Jessica Salzman, Spencer Bower, and Vicki Salzman Lanier. She was blessed with 7 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her Uncle David Feagler and his wife Sandra and numerous cousins. Her dear classmate Gladys Kilmer of Scottsbluff and her special cousin Lorraine Keller of Scottsbluff. These two ladies were great support during the last years of JoAnn's life. She is also survived by her brother Jimmie and his family.

She is preceded in death by her husband Larry, parents Harry and Lydia Keller, In-laws Robert and Amelia Bower, daughter Laurie, grandson Shane Bower, brother in laws Robert Bower, Floyd and Idell Bower, and Don Bower.

Cremation has taken place and will be laid to rest next to her loving husband Larry in Worland at a later date this summer.