Bernice O. Bower

Bernice Olive Bower, the oldest of three daughters of Roy Henry and Bess Geneva (Brown) Caudell, was born on August 22, 1912, in Ringold County, near Maloy, Iowa. After moving to Malvern with her parents and sisters, Ocle Irene and Velma Jean, the family lived in the southern part of town on Main Street. Her father and his brother were horse traders and had stables and a barn on the corner of Main Street near the Wabash Railroad. Bernice attended Malvern schools and graduated in 1931 and worked as a telephone operator.
On February 14, 1935, Bernice married Ralph Elza Bower in Omaha, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Barbara Jean and LeRoy Gerald. Bernice and Ralph farmed west of Malvern for several years and then purchased a farm east of Malvern in 1943. While raising their children and being a farm wife, Bernice worked at Dr. Kline's office and at Mulholland Grocery in the meat counter. Bernice was always lending a helping hand whenever needed, for her friends, family or businesses. She was a 4-H leader, an avid sports fan, and had a love of flowers and playing cards. She was very active in the Presbyterian Church and was a choir member, guild member, Sunday school teacher and served on many committees. After the Presbyterian Church closed, Bernice and Ralph transferred to the Malvern United Methodist Church. Being a member of the Malvern Garden Club was a delight to her. Bernice's hands were always busy. When she sat down she nearly always had needlework, a word search book or a deck of cards. The beautiful quilts, crochet pieces and embroidery work she made were evident everywhere.
Ralph and Bernice loved spending several months of each year at their home in Cherokee Village at Hardy, Arkansas. They had been married 47 years when Ralph died on May 6, 1982. Bernice moved into Malvern and she, Ocle and nephew Burt enjoyed spending time at the house in Arkansas, taking many road trips together and eating out. Ocle and Bernice played cards together almost on a daily basis. Bernice loved having her grandchildren stay at the farm and enjoyed spending time with her great grandchildren in later years. In January 2008, she was able to meet and hold her first great-great granddaughter.
Bernice continued to live in her home until 2005 when she moved to Linnwood Estates in Glenwood, Iowa. Ocle had moved to Linnwood in 2004 and the sisters were thrilled to once again be living near each other. Bernice later moved to Glen Haven Home where she died on March 16, 2008, attaining the age of 95 years, 6 months, and 24 days.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Ralph; her sisters, Velma Miller and Ocle Dickersbach; and her special nephew, Burt Dickersbach.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara Asman and husband Max of Des Moines, IA and son LeRoy Bower and wife Jeanne of Plattsmouth, NE; five grandchildren, Russell Asman, Jacquelyn Shoeman, Rodney Asman, Steven Bower and Michael Bower; eight great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; nieces and nephews, Sandra McWhirter and family, Ida and Bill Dixon and family, Richard and Sherry Bass and family, Linda and Ron Jones and family, and Craig Bower. She held a special place in her heart for her sister-in-law Juanita Bower who wrote a letter to her every Sunday. During her stay at Linnwood, she became good friends with Barbara Edwards and later they were roommates at Glen Haven where a very special bond formed between them.

Burial will be in the Malvern Cemetery.

A Memorial Fund has been established.