Betty D. Bowman

Betty D. Bowman, longtime resident of Savanna, passed away Thursday, Aprill 22, 2021 peacefully at home in the care of her family. A private family service will be held with burial in Savanna Township Cemetery.

Betty was born in Massbach on the family farm, the daughter of John and Bertha (Ehredt) Schnitzler during the Great Depression. She grew up learning to work hard on the farm, and at the age of thirteen she went out to work babysitting, cleaning homes and waiting tables. And as many women in this area did, during WWII, Betty worked at the Savanna Army Depot. On October 30, 1946, Betty married Herman Bowman. They raised four children, Cleo, Herman, Jr., Rex and Gail.

Most of all Betty loved time with family. She kept up with the times, was caring, and realistic. She was always there to support family, she would do anything……and at the same time, tell ‘em like it was. Her family appreciated her, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren still argue about who is her favorite.

Betty often worked more than one job. She worked at Eaton in Savanna, Leslie Lock in Mt. Carroll, Captain Waltz Liquors in Savanna, and she returned to the Army Depot and worked as a Draftsman for several years, retiring in 1995. Betty was a member of NARFE.

Betty will be dearly missed by a daughter, Cleo Haynes of Savanna; two sons, Herman (Mary Pat) Bowman of Merritt Island, Florida and Rex Bowman of Savanna; seven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her daughter, Gail Bowman in 2019; thirteen brothers and sisters; and both parents .