Wayne Nicholas Cowger

1940 - 2025

Meridian - Wayne Nicholas Cowger passed away May 21, 2025 surrounded by family. Wayne was born April 29, 1940 to Darrell Cowger and Eleanor (Stadler) Cowger in Faribault, Minnesota. His family moved to Nampa, ID in 1950. Wayne attended Nampa High School, Class of 1958. He was very athletic. He participated in sports including basketball and baseball. He excelled at baseball, his favorite sport. At one point he was looked at by a Minor League Baseball Scout. Wayne enjoyed singing with his high school choir, The Four Flats and a Sharp. Everyone wore Flat Top haircuts except Wayne...the Sharp. In a Math class he met Benita Hillyard. They married in 1961 in Nampa, ID. They had three children: Michele (Shelley), Stacey, and Robert.

After high school Wayne attended College of Idaho. Later Wayne worked for Mountain Bell. Then he began his career working for Idaho Power in 1962. He held various job titles throughout his years at Idaho Power and made many friends. He enjoyed performing with the Idaho Power choral group, Choral Electrics. He also liked playing his guitars and singing Glen Campbell and John Denver songs. He retired from Idaho Power in 1996. Retirement included golf, fishing, bowling, camping, traveling and good times with family and friends. Wayne was a soft spoken, generous, loving person. He was also an avid Bronco fan. Go Broncos!!

Wayne is survived by his wife: Jan Cowger, children: Shelley Cowger, Stacey (Steve) Noffz, and Rob Cowger (Tara), grandchildren: Tylor Noffz, Haley Noffz (Caleb), Gabi Cowger, Ben Cowger, and Heath Waterman, great-granddaughter: Olivia, as well as sisters in law: Billie McDonald and Bonnie (Carlo) Zanazzo. He was preceded in death by his parents, multiple aunts and uncles, many cousins, and his godson, Eddy Kath.

Wayne and Jan celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August 2024.

A heartfelt thank you to Keystone Hospice. The entire team was so caring and loving for Wayne as well as the entire family. We loved them all. Also, a big thanks to Wayne's caregiver, Joyce. She is an angel. Wayne's family invites all who knew him to join in celebrating a life well lived at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1100 N. Cloverdale Rd., Boise, ID 83713 on Thursday, June 19th at 11:00 am. A light lunch will be provided after the service.