Emma Florence Bowman

Emma Bowman passed away December 1, 2012, after suffering a stroke and fall at her home two weeks earlier. She was satisfied that she had lived a healthy long life. Emma, affectionately known at "Sis" by family and friends, will be missed greatly by all who were dear to her. Emma is survived by her adoring daughter, Kathy ("Subo" to many) Clark, with whom she lived comfortably in her last few years. She relished spending so much time with her daughter and relaxing on the patio viewing the garden. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Previtali, who will sorely miss her, as will her grandchildren Bryndal and Chris Worley, and Jobi and Justus Spano, with their children, Cheyenne - 13, Ethan - 6, and Autumn - 5, all of Stockton, to whom she was affectionately known as "Oma" (grandma in German). Many of her grandchildren's friends who would visit her, also fondly called her Oma. Her nephews, Larry and Gary, were dear to her, with Larry & his wife Wendy Buthenuth having brought her much delight in their attentiveness, inviting her over for family occasions and bringing plant starters to enjoy. Emma's great nephews and their wives, William and Rachel Buthenuth and Christopher and Jessica Buthenuth would often visit her, creating many cherished memories. She also has cousins that have shared important occasions and meant much to her. Emma was born in Stockton, November 2, 1915, in her family home on Clay Street, to parents Albert "Bert" Edward Smith and Emma Florence (Williamson) Smith. She was 3rd of 4 daughters, Augusta (deceased in 1933), Elese Elanora Knowles (husband Alan, both deceased) and Betty Eulala Previtali (who was also widowed by late husbands, Angelo "Nino" Previtali and Albert "Bud" Buthenuth), all of whom were close in her heart. Emma considered all her life as a joy, with many fond memories that she would like to share of growing up and living to this incredible ripe age of 97. She attended Jackson Elementary School and Stockton Senior High with her sisters and later graduated from Humphries Business College, to become a secretary for the late Mr. Boggs. She was also employed by the San Joaquin County Recorder's Office in Stockton, until she met her husband through their involvement in lodge activities. Herbert P. Bowman and Emma married in 1949 and enjoyed many happy years together. He had immigrated from Kiel, Germany, and had been active with his Lodge as a member of the Odd Fellows, while she shared the interest, being a lifetime member of Lebannon/ Rainbow Rebekkah since 1933. They both shared many friendships as they were involved in this during their marriage. They were members of the First Congregational Church in Stockton, with other family members, and remained members throughout their life, having fond memories of friends gained there throughout the years. Their daughter, Kathleen Susan, was born to them in 1952. They were excellent and devoted parents together, and enjoyed family vacations often with extended family, frequently camping in the mountains as Herb adored, and spending annual weeklong trips in Santa Cruz or other coastline destinations, as Emma enjoyed. Both enjoyed the outdoors and passed this love on to their daughter, Kathy. Herb preceded Emma early in death, in November 1964, after which she doubled in her love and support as a devoted mother of Kathy, giving her the greatest gift a parent could, enduring love and enabling many precious opportunities growing up, for which she will forever be grateful. Herb and Emma owned Yosemite Cleaners together since 1949 on the corner of Yosemite and Acacia Streets in Stockton. Emma continued to manage the Dry Cleaners as the family business until retiring in the early 1980s and appreciated the many faithful customers and friends that stopped by, including long-term staff-friends, Robert Sanders, Louise Howell, Bea Canote, Lorraine Houska, Ella Swaim, and sister, Elese Knowles, and others. She lived her married life in her home on Longview, selling it when it seemed prudent to do so, and lived a number of years at Plymouth Place, Early 2008, she moved in with her daughter after her son-in-law, Gene Clark, passed away in December 2007. She and Gene had always gotten along fabulously and she especially appreciated his culinary skills. Throughout her life, Emma also enjoyed gardening at her home on West Longview and watching birds, having a passion for owls, many of which adorned her home in various fashions. She loved spending time with her grand children and later watching her great grandkids play at the home she shared with her daughter. Family was important to her. She was an avid Bible reader, having a regular routine of Bible study each and every morning, as a fitting start for her day. She continued this throughout her life, setting a great example in Bible appreciation that carried through to her daughter and grandchildren. They had many memorable Bible discussions together, along with friends that visited, discussing the changes she had observed in her lifetime and her desire to see all things remedied in the future. She was appalled at the conditions we all face today, and appreciated what she learned that the Bible said about hope for the future. She always looked for the good in people and hoped for the best for them. Her positive attitude, displayed by her serene pensive demeanor, her humor and easy-to-please disposition will be sorely missed by those appreciative of the time spent with her. We will look forward to the time when we can see her again, happy and healthy, as promised in the Bible. She firmly believed the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10) for which she prayed God's " Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven" as being the solution to the many problems plaguing people today. We know her sweet personality, humor and kindness will be intact. We, too, are looking forward to the time when God will erase all sadness and tears. Revelation 21:4 *** And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."; and Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will certainly wipe away the tears from all faces… •http://tributes.com/Emma-Bowman-Stockton