Eleanor “Ellie” Cecelia Schunk entered this world April 20, 1924, at home on Boomer Road, near Cincinnati Ohio born to Christine Schulze Schunk and Charles H. Schunk. She joined three sisters Estelle, Lillian and Agnes and later a brother Morris and sister Vera.
Ellie passed away October 23, 2017, at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, MT at the age of 93 surrounded by family.
Growing up, Ellie learned to work hard on the farm (milking, shocking wheat, digging potatoes) but to have fun too. She played softball, basketball, was in school plays & Glee Club operettas. She taught Sunday school classes and sang in her church choir. Dancing was the favorite social activity for her & her siblings. She loved to dance and often said “I’d rather dance than eat anytime.” She was also a (devoted fan) of “Gone with the Wind” and went to the premier showing of that movie in Cincinnati.
After graduating from high school (a few months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor), she worked at Reliance Life Insurance Co. for 10 years, starting as a temporary secretary and making her way up to cashier (office boss).
Ellie came out west for vacations and in August 1952, when she went to the IXL dude ranch for the fifth year, she met Jim. Jim was raised near Sundance, WY and had just bought a ranch in Montana. Jim traveled to Ohio that year for Christmas and they were married December 27, 1952.
They moved into the old log house by the Powder River and Ellie fit right in to the life of rancher’s wife; raising gardens, canning, making bread and butter, as well as helping Jim work cattle, put up hay, build fence, etc… She talked fondly of the unplanned (no telephone) visits to & from neighbors. Through this, they raised 3 children, Jim Jr., Tom & Sue. Ellie mentioned raking hay on a hot day with 3 squalling kids beside her in the Jeep! Hunting season was another busy time as she boarded hunters which Jim guided. They became lifelong friends with some of those hunters.
In 1970 the family moved into the new house where Ellie still lived. The boys gradually took on more of the outside work but Ellie stayed busy with her own work. She was a great cook – especially her pies which won a lot of blue ribbons at the county fair. At age 92, she still made all the pies for the 2016 family Christmas dinner.
She also loved growing flowers – which was a challenge with drought, grasshoppers, hail and poor water- but she had a lot of joy in them. Reading was another pastime for her.
Ellie treasured her family – and showed it to all of them, always putting others ahead of herself. She loved and supported her kids and grandkids. She was proud of all her grandkids and mentioned recently how good they have been to her in visiting, playing games (if Grandma was your 500 partner, you were going to win!) and just talking. She was so pleased to be a great-grandmother and looked forward to the expected arrival of another. She kept close ties with her Ohio sisters and brother and their families.
Ellie would say she had a rich full life but she said “you always want a little bit more (time)”
When God called her from this world she must have heard “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
She is survived by one sister Vera Schunk and sisters-in-law Carol Schunk and Margaret White, children James H. Jr. (Kathy), Tom (Carla) of Broadus and Susan (Dennis) Schaefer of Billings, grandchildren Sherry (Coaly) Huckins, Kristy (John) Elgin, Mike Bowers, Bill (Stephanie), Tyler Bowers, Matthew and Melissa Schaefer, one great-grandson Nicholas Bowers and one expected great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ellie was preceded in death by an infant son John August Bowers, her parents, husband James H. Bowers Sr., sisters Estelle Hoeweler, Agnes Greber, Lillian Supe, brother Morris (Bud) Schunk, brothers in-law Albert Hoeweler, Carl Greber, Elmer Supe, Herman White, Wilford Kennedy, sisters in-law Helen Ellard and Lois Kennedy.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Bible Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Scramble 4 a Cure (Local Cancer Fund) or Powder River Manor and may be sent to Carla Bowers 233 E River Rd. Broadus, MT 59317.
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to the Bowers family.
Tom & Judy Collins says
We were very sorry to hear about Ellie. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
tammy & john schoenbeck says
so sorry for your loss
carol schneidt says
My thoughts and prayers are with the Bowers family.
Cindy Carter Burris says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Dave sand Cindy Burris
Vanna Byrd says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the Bowers families. So very sorry about your loss.
Vanna and Leonard Byrd, and Mary Lancaster
Carol Hanrahan says
A wonderful lady has gone to heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Ellie’s family. Prayers ……
Carol Mellor Hanrahan
Laura Lee and Vic Ullrich says
We are saddened to hear of Ellie’s passing. She was quite the lady. We will be holding you all up in prayer in the coming days. We are away so will be unable to attend. Hugs to the entire family as you celebrate a life well lived.
Larry and Dawn Draine says
God be with all of Ellie’s family at this very difficult time and into the future.Speak often of Jim and Ellie and celebrate them.
Pam Fletcher says
We are sorry for your loss.
Sylvia Zimmer says
Darold and I are sending our thoughts and prayers to all of you during this difficult time. Ellie was definitely a “grand lady” with a great family. It is so hard to let our parents go to our great Maker, but may all the good memories stay in your heart forever… love and hugs..
Owen and Debbie Hanson says
We are so very sorry to hear of Ellie ‘s passing.
She lived a wonderfully full life surrounded by a
loving family. We’re hoping the memories of the life
she shared will give you comfort as you mourn her passing. Love and Hugs to all of you!
Owen & Deb Hanson
Gladys and Barney Considine says
Our thoughts and sympathy goes out to all of Ellie’s family.
Gladys and Barney Considine
William Collins Family says
Thoughts and prayers to all of Ellie’s family. Sorry for your loss!
Bill and Dina Gay says
We were saddened to hear of Ellie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deborah Wagner says
Jim and Kathy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. The Dale & Ruth Bond family
Floyd Huckins says
My thoughts are with you all. I will never forget her sense of humor and her humble, dignified ways. Ellie was one of the last true pioneer women. She and Jim built a legacy and family of which to be proud.
Pam Carter says
My thoughts and prayers are with you…always hard to lose your Mom. Christ’s Peace be with you all at this time.
Julie Emmons says
What a grand life…to have lived and experienced all she did is exceptional. Bless all of you during this time as you remember her in so many special ways. Ellie, like many of our elderly persons in the community, was such a treasure!
Lynn Wiltse Bishop says
So sorry for your loss. I remember the warmness of the welcome I got whenever I would visit with Sue. A wonderful lady whom will be missed.
Amber and Dave Hargrove says
So sorry for your loss. She had along and wonderful life. Thinking of you.
Vern and Andrea Rice says
So sorry for your loss, our sincere condolences to the Bowers family.
Wayne & Ani1ta Wetherelt says
so sorry to hear this. May our thoughts ^ prayers give you some comfort during this hard time. She was such a special person in my book. Thanks for sharing her in our lives too.
Jean Chestnut says
My sincere sympathy to Jim, Tom and Sue and their families. Ellie was so proud of all of you. Ellie and I met in June, 1945 when I started working with her at Reliance Life Ins. Co. the day after I graduated high school. We have remained good friends all of these years even though we didn’t get to see each other often. We had lots of fun during her years in the Cincinnati area and I was sorry to see her leave for Montana, but it worked out well. She had a good husband and they had a wonderful family and she really loved Montana.
Randy & Aletta Shannon says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the Bowers Families. May many years of fond memories from a grand lady help bring comfort during this difficult time.