Daniel Robert "Dan" Bower

Daniel "Dan" Robert Bower, 56, of West Point, formerly Wymore, passed away at the West Point Living Center on Sunday, March 8, 2015, after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born Feb. 19, 1959, in Fairbury, to Robert and Beulah Lurz Bower. He grew up and lived most of his life in Steele City. He graduated from Fairbury High School in 1978 and soon after graduation, began working for Burlington Northern Railroad where he was employed from 1979–1982. During that time, he married Connie Sue Nelson on July 4, 1980, and they were blessed with two daughters, Brooke and Erin whom they raised in Steele City. They later divorced.

Beginning in 1982, he worked at Eagle Pitcher in Fairbury and American Tool in DeWitt and Beatrice. In 2000, he decided to take a new career path and became a corrections officer at Tecumseh State Penitentiary. He sold his home in Steele City and moved to Wymore to be closer to his job. Before becoming ill, he was working at the Beatrice State Developmental Center. He enjoyed life. He was outgoing and would do anything for anyone. Some things that brought him great joy were hunting, fishing, billiards, shooting skeet, camping, running, playing baseball and watching baseball. He especially enjoyed spending time with his daughters and playing with his grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Brooke Hormandl and husband Allen of Wilber and Erin Zimmerman and husband Scott of Omaha; five grandchildren, Bree, Gavyn and Dru Hormandl and Keynen and Xavier Zimmerman; two sisters, Lynda Bower of Richmond, Va. and Cheyenne Bower of Steele City; one brother, Tom Bower of Beatrice; special friend, Linda Vicars of Beatrice; many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Steele City Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Gail Cross officiating. The family has requested that people attending wear casual attire. Inurnment of the cremains will be in the Steele City Cemetery. There will be no visitation. The body has been cremated. A guestbook for signatures will be available at Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2015. A guestbook for signatures and messages of condolence is available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice in charge of arrangements.