Donna S. Bowen

1925 ~ 2012
Donna Jessie Stokes Bowen passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2012 after a prolonged illness. She was born November 19, 1925 in Ogden, Utah. She was the oldest daughter of Jesse James Stokes and Bertha Vance. Her sister, Norma Rae Beesley, lives in Brigham City, Utah. They had a brother, Delwin James, who died as an infant.
When she was about seven years old her mother became ill and died of pneumonia. She and her sister were raised by their aunt, Sarah Vance.
Donna spent most of her younger life in Thatcher, Utah. She attended Bear River High School. In 1943 she moved with her sister and Aunt Sarah to Brigham City, Utah. After graduating from high school she worked for the Defense Depot in Ogden, Utah and then attended LDS Business College where she later earned an associates degree.
She was married to Jay Eugene Bowen, September 16, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were later divorced. They had three children.
Donna retired in 1990 after working many years for Zions Bank. She was an active member of the LDS Church, having served a Family History Mission for about 2 ½ years starting in September 1993. She was also a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Donna spent the last 20 years of her life living with her daughter and family in West Valley City, Utah.
Donna is survived by her sister; step-sister, Donna Jean Hindberg; her children, JaAnna Jean (Lynn) Nelson, John Bowen and James (Janet) Bowen; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother; daughter-in-law, Louise, and her Aunt Sarah Vance.
Memorial services will be held Friday, March 30th at 5:30 p.m. at the Granger West 4th Ward Chapel, 3305 So. 3960 W. West Valley City. A graveside service will beheld April 2nd at Penrose Cemetery in Penrose, Utah. On-line condolences may be left at www.memorialutah.com.