CONRAD "LEE" BOWEN

1926 - 2016

Conrad "Lee" Bowen, 89, died peacefully February 9, 2016, surrounded by family at Park Meadows Memory Care. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Velma Bowen; and his brother, Donald Bowen of Hartford, Kan. Lee was born in Emporia, Kan., to Roy and Velma Bowen on Oct. 25, 1926, and grew up in Hartford, Kan., where he attended school and graduated from Hartford High School in 1944. Following graduation he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. He attended Emporia State Teachers College and was a member of the Phi Sig Epsilon fraternity. There he met his wife Helen and following graduation in 1950 they were married in 1951. Following seven years of teaching business courses and coaching basketball, Lee was hired by Farmers Insurance Group in 1957 initially as an underwriter and later retired in 1990 as a Regional Claims Manager. Lee and Helen were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Janet, and moved to Overland Park in 1958. He was an avid golfer and continued to play daily following retirement and achieved two "holes in one"! His love of vegetable gardening always produced a massive crop of tomatoes, his favorite, accompanied by a shaker of salt. His love of family came first. He was never far from the kitchen helping to create menus and a vast amount of food for family gatherings, also known as the "Bowen Spread." Following retirement, their love of travel took them to many destinations across the U.S. and Europe, but spent most of their time as snowbirds in Las Vegas for 19 years. Long lasting friendships were developed there where they all enjoyed the same activities together and reuniting at the same time each year. Their love to dance took them to many "Big Band" events, not to mention a sportsbook and a casino or two. Lee is survived by his wife, Helen, daughters, Linda Cahow- Stanton (Stuart), Janet Cadman (Steve), granddaughters, Lindsay Barrett (Jason), Leslie Glaser (DJ), grandsons, Jay and Garrett Cadman, seven great grandchildren, sister, Arline Confer of Holiday Island, Ark., niece, Diane Dixon (Larry), and nephew, Mike Confer. A visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. with a service to follow at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66210. In lieu of flowers and in deep appreciation of the care Lee received, donations can be made to Park Meadows Memory Care, 5901 W 107th St., Overland Park, KS 66211, or to a charity of your choice. Fond memories and condolences may be left for the family at johnsoncountychapel.com Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 913-451-1860, www.johnsoncountychapel.com