Jean Louise Bowdish Roe

Jean Louise Bowdish Roe, 103

Jean Louise Bowdish Roe, 103, a long-time Flathead Valley resident, died Oct. 20, 2025, in Kalispell.

Louise was born Aug. 1, 1922, at the family homestead north of Kalispell to Ellen and Harry Bowdish. She attended schools in Kalispell and Whitefish through the 11th grade. Her senior year was completed in Pasadena, California while living with her grandmother. She graduated from Pasadena Junior College in 1940. Louise started studies at University of California at Berkeley but dropped out to help build B-24 airplanes at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego during World War II. After returning to U.C. Berkeley, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development in 1944.

Louise taught nursery school at the Child Services Center for the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland until a dock fire closed the facility in August 1945. While working at Consolidated Aircraft, she met William "Bill" Roe, corresponding until Bill was near the end of his Navy enlistment. They reunited and were married in Yuma, Arizona, in December 1945.

They settled in Southern California and raised four children, Roger, Frances, Henry, and Gary. Louise taught kindergarten through 4th grade, retiring after 22 years. She moved home to Kalispell to care for her mother. Then, Louise worked part time at the Outlaw Inn, Montana Department of Revenue, and House of Fabrics.

Louise was a talented seamstress sewing clothing, curtains, quilts, cute pillows, and dozens of special aprons. She was a great cook and made delicious rhubarb pies. She enjoyed working on the family farm - fixing, painting, and gardening. Louise renewed her driver's license at 95 years old. She lived at her home during the pandemic lockdown until she was 99 years old. Louise enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends in California, Arizona, Alaska, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Canada and England.

Louise is survived by her children, Roger, Frances (Eddie), Henry (Shellie) and Gary; grandchildren, Katharine King (Clancy), Aaron Roe (Alicia), Jennifer Schildroth, Gary J. Roe and Chad Roe; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

We have loved and respected Louise as a caring, welcoming and very witty mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed.

A celebration of her life will be held in the Spring of 2026.