Phyllis Erickson Bowman

1926 - 2016

Phyllis Erickson Bowman
1926 ~ 2016
Phyllis Erickson Bowman, age 90, died on Thursday, August 11, 2016, in Boise, Idaho. Phyllis was born to Lottie Annie Larson and Gustaf Levi Erickson on May 15, 1926, in Almo, Idaho at the family ranch where she joined her brother Jack. Her sister Ardys came along soon after. She had an older brother, Byron, who died at birth.
Phyllis grew up on Little Cove Ranch, near the City of Rocks, where she learned a work ethic like no other. She attended a two-room schoolhouse in Almo through the eighth grade, and then rode the bus 25 miles to Raft River High School where she graduated in 1942. She was the only girl in her graduating class. Education was a major part of Phyllis' life, and she soon left for Weber State where she got an Associate of Arts in business. She next went to Southern Idaho College of Education (SICE) in Albion, ID and later to Utah State University in Logan, UT. While at SICE she met Bill C. Bowman, who she married on August 20, 1950 at the family home in Almo, Idaho. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.
Phyllis was an educator. She received her Bachelor of Arts from SICE and later a Master of Arts from BYU. She pioneered elementary physical education (PE) programs for her students, first in Caldwell, and later as a professor at Boise State College. Her dance classes and summer workshops for PE teachers were legendary. Many BSU football players learned to dance from her. She retired in 1985 at the end of a 23-year teaching career. She received the Idaho High School Activities Association's Distinguished Service Award for her work with youth in 1985.
Phyllis was an avid outdoorswoman. She loved to camp, hike, and fish. She taught backpacking at Boise State and would fish any chance she got. She loved spending time in Cascade with her family. She was also a talented seamstress and also enjoyed needlework. She maintained these talents and over the past two years she crocheted over 350 stocking caps that she donated to the Assistance League for deserving children.
Phyllis enjoyed serving in various capacities in the LDS Church. She was a camp and sports director, a teacher, a missionary, and always a visiting teacher. At Willow Park, where she lived the last three years of her life, she loved recording the life stories of other residents for them to share with their families.
Phyllis was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Bill and Phyllis were blessed with four children, and she spent many hours encouraging, supporting, and helping them develop their talents and accomplish their goals, including collegiate degrees. The lessons she taught to her family have been and will continue to be passed on to future generations.
Phyllis is survived by her four children and their spouses: Kit and Jack Parker of Boise; Jerry and Pam Bowman of Provo, Utah; Gus and Dakin Bowman of Twin Falls; and Phil and Gloria Bowman of Boulder, Colorado. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her husband Bill Bowman.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 15, 2016 at the LDS chapel located at 2600 Hill Road, Boise. Family will greet friends from 10:00-10:45 AM prior to the service at the church. Interment will immediately follow at the Idaho State Veteran's Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Highway, Boise.
The family would like to thank Dr. Roger Turcotte, his staff, and Willow Park Assisted Living for their care of Phyllis in her later years. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Missionary Fund of the LDS Church or the Assistance League of Boise.