Anita Irene Stowell

ANITA IRENE STOWELL

1938-2025

It is with much love that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandma and friend, Anita I. Stowell, who died peacefully in Bakersfield, California on October 23, 2025, at the age of 87.

Anita was born in Yakima, Washington as the second of four children to the late Harold and Martha Schimke on July 1, 1938. Though her health was failing in recent years, Anita lived a very happy and blessed life filled with love. It is her family's greatest wish that others who loved and cared for Anita will join them in remembering her as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend who had an infectious smile, was smart, witty and multi-talented, and was always willing to help others.

Anita was a devoted spouse to husband Chuck (Charlie Stowell) for an amazing 68 years. They were married in September 1957 in Forest Grove, Oregon before moving to California for the remainder of her life. She and her family moved to Tehachapi in 1972. She was a doting, involved and loving mother to four children: Steve in 1958, Rob in 1960, Jim in 1962, and Pam in 1965. "Grandma 'Nita" was immensely proud of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a loyal friend to many.

While focused on raising her family while her children were young, Anita worked for several years for the Tehachapi Unified School District before her longstanding employment as manager of Tehachapi Lumber Ace Hardware. She was active in her church and sang in the choir and was a longtime member of the local Summit Singers community choir. She was an accomplished cook, seamstress and baker, kept an immaculate garden, enjoyed traveling, and loved nothing more than hosting gatherings of friends and family at her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Martha Schimke, brother Gerald Schimke, son Jim Stowell and grandson Nathan Stowell. Survivors include her husband, Charlie "Chuck" Stowell; sons Steve Stowell of Maryland and Rob Stowell of Arizona, daughter Pam Johnson and spouse Scott of Tehachapi, and daughter in-law Gina Stowell of Arizona; sisters Myra Beeler of Oregon and Dorothy Schimke of California; grandchildren Lauren Stowell, Tessa Roed (spouse Keaton) and Ashlyn Durkin (spouse Garrett) of Arizona, Lexis Sweeney (spouse Michael) of New Hampshire, Samantha Johnson of Irvine CA, and Alec Johnson (spouse Delaney) of Grover Beach CA. Anita also had seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Tehachapi Valley United Methodist Church in the near future. For details regarding the service, please contact Wood Family Funeral Services of Tehachapi. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Anita's name to the Alzheimer's Association or any other worthy cause benefiting Alzheimer's research.