Barbra Bowman

September 20, 1930 - April 24, 2011

Barbra L. Bowman, 80, passed away from cancer on Thursday, March 24, at her home in Albany. She was formerly a resident of Corvallis and Monroe. She was born in Borger, Texas, to Ernest and Margaret Rehard. She grew up on a farm in Beaver, Okla., with her two sisters. She graduated from high school in Gallup, N.M. She met and married Kenneth C. Bowman in New Mexico, where they had three children, two boys and a girl. In 1968, Barbra and Ken moved to Corvallis, where they both returned to school at Oregon State University. Barbra received her master’s degree in education and went on to work as counseling coordinator for the university. Barbra spent much of her time recruiting Native American students to attend OSU. She also had a hand in getting the Native American Longhouse started at OSU. Barbra and Ken retired in Monroe, and, although retired, Barbra went on to write grant applications for the Monroe School District, helping to get much-needed computers for the high school. Barbra’s husband, Kenneth C. Bowman, preceded her in death in 2007. Her parents and her sister, Ernestine Rehard-Andrews, also preceded her. Survivors include sons Ronald Bowman of Annapolis, Md., and Charles Bowman of Albany; daughter Melissa Juntunen of Corvallis; sister Jean Harris; grandsons Lee Bowman and Scotty Bowman; granddaughters Kristen Ferguson, Katherine Bowman, Janna Yore and Kasey Bowman; four great-grandchildren, J.T. and Bryce Ferguson, Hailey Yore and Mason Bowman; sister in-law Susan Roth of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; several nieces; and a nephew. Barbra will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends. The service will take place at 1 p.m. April 16 at Bellfountain Community Church, 25387 Dawson Road, Monroe.