- Date Of Birth: August 9, 1925
- Date Of Death: June 15, 2017
- State: Idaho
Frank E. Bowers, 91, a lifelong resident of Horseshoe Bend, passed away on June 15, 2017.
Frank was born on August 9, 1925 to Robert R. & Frances E. (Stone) Bowers. There were four children born to this couple, Frank being the third child. Frank had two brothers, Robert and Richard and one baby sister, Grace. Frank lost his mother in a car accident when he was only four years old. His father moved to a farm at the power company where they raised chickens, pigs and milk cows. The children learned to work and be dependable helping with chores and raising a large garden.
Frank would walk the ditch bank to the Horseshoe Bend school with his brothers and little sister. He attended grade school in Horseshoe Bend and graduated from High School in Montour. The first school bus in the area was driven by Frank because he was such a dependable teenager and well know and trusted by the parents. He drove several students to Montour every day in his dad’s pick-up with a homemade cover to keep them warm and dry. After graduating, Frank spent time in the military, serving in the Navy during WWII.
On December 23, 1950, Frank married Venita Shelley Olsen, the love of his life. They were married for 46 years before he lost her to a sudden death. No children were born to them, but she had four children from a previous marriage. Venita was a wonderful cook known far and wide for her wonderful pies, that Frank truly enjoyed. Frank and Venita worked hard, built and operated a 26-space trailer park and ran a State Liquor store. Frank worked in the woods and then in the sawmill for Hoff Lumber Co. & Boise Cascade until he retired.
Frank had a stroke in 2003. Prior to his stroke, Frank had been a board member at the HSB Senior Center and helped the Ladies Club with the manly chores as well as helping all the widows and anyone who needed an extra hand. Together, Frank and Venita enjoyed camping and volunteer work for the Ladies Club Hall. He was a sharp shooter and loved hunting & fishing. Frank was a wonderful husband, step-father, brother, grandfather, and uncle. If we had one word to describe him, it would be “Integrity”. He was the most honest man you would ever meet. Always the first to help his family, friends and even people he didn’t know. He and Venita were always there to help everyone, they were wonderful grandparents and loved all little ones.
Frank has resided in an Assisted Living Facility in Emmett since his stroke. Frank is survived by his step-daughter, Margaret Drake; a sister Grace Hawkins both from Horseshoe Bend; numerous nieces, nephews and step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Venita Bowers; his parents, Robert & Frances Bowers; two brothers, Robert and Richard Bowers; & three step-sons – Laverne, Vance, and Gerald Olsen.
