On the evening of July 6, 2017, Helen passed away from natural causes in her home. Helen was 87 years old.
Helen Bowar was born on the Big Island of Hawaii on March 31, 1930, to Kamato and Uto Hokama. She was the eighth child, out of ten, in the Hokama family. Her parents and older siblings had migrated from Okinawa, Japan.
Helen was born a character. Her family always laughs about how she could never sit still. Being one of the youngest in the family, she was often scolded by the elders, even in their older years.
Helen lived on the Big Island of Hawaii until she was five. Even though she was very young, she could still remember many highlights of this time. The family moved to the island of Oahu, where they had a grocery store. Everyone in the family was expected to work in the store. It was very hard work, but Helen was born a hard worker.
Helen experienced the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She was approximately three miles from the area during the attack. It was a very difficult time for her and her family since they were of Japanese descent but she often said that they did not experience the prejudice like on the mainland.
After graduating from high school, she worked in her brother’s restaurant called the Wiki Wiki. It meant fast fast. This is where she met Ken Bowar. Ken was a young man from Faulkton SD. He was in the United States Air Force and stationed in Oahu. It was a fast and romantic courtship. They were married on March 21, 1953.
They moved to Miles City, MT to be close to Ken’s sister and her family. This was a big transition for Helen, but her feisty spirit would not dampen. She worked in the Miles City Bakery for many years. She enjoyed getting to visit with the regulars and being in a very upbeat and fast moving environment.
Helen and Ken adopted their daughter, Treba in 1963 and son Larry in 1965. Her children always felt blessed to have such a unique mom. Helen probably made over a million cookies for her kids and their friends.
During this time, she worked for George Holom at Mayflower. She enjoyed the great perk of going out to lunch with the crew.
She and Ken loved to travel. They went from one end of the country to the other, checking out Larry’s job sites.
She loved bowling and put on many miles going to tournaments around the state with friends. Another passion was golfing. She was a long time member of the Miles City Country Club. Her biggest enjoyment was her yard. With the help of her dear friends, George and Maggie Holom, she was able to keep it immaculate! Her payment to George, for all the mowing, was fried rice. It was a pretty good deal.
Another joy for mom was walking to the Blue Moon. She was able to take her walk, spend time with people who cared about her, and gamble. It was a win, win, win!
Sacred Heart Church provided a community of friends that she loved. She appreciated dear friends such as Diane Hathaway and many others who went out of their way to keep her connected in the city.
Helen was very close to all her grandkids. They loved her spunky personality and no nonsense attitude. She was always up for a game of Yahtzee! She was very competitive at everything and gave it her all no matter what the age of her opponent was. Her grandkids appreciated being treated like an equal.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Ken Bowar and her granddaughter Kalie Bowar.
Helen is survived by her children Treba (Matt) Hollowell of Billings, Larry Bowar of Belgrade and grandchildren April and Ryan Berger, Janie and Bon Hollowell, and great grandchild Ezo Evans.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday July 10, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main St
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 11, 2017
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday July 10, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main St
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 11, 2017
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
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Ray and Sheri Clauson says
Helen was a wonderful, happy, loving lady!! So happy she was our friend!! She will be missed!!
Our sincere sympathy to her family!!
Tim and Debbie Irion says
We are so sorry. It was always good to see Helen as she walked around the hospital. She was a sweet lovely lady.
Dannette Cremer says
So sorry to hear about Helens passing. I haven’t seen her for awhile but always enjoyed our visits. She had a great laugh and definitely had energy.
Chris Choate Raible says
I just saw Helen walking as fast as ever near her home the other day! She was such a fun, full of life lady that I have such fond memories of growing up. Sending love and prayers to Treba, Larry and family.
DAN AND SUMI DINARDI says
We are sorry for your loss, Helen was a neat lady and enjoyed seeing her at the Albertsons Sushi stand when she was in Billings
Mary Notbohm says
I will miss seeing Helen working in her yard and walking the path at the Hospital. She was a very kind and energetic lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy.
Cathy Johnson says
My sincere condolences, Helen was an amazing woman and was loved by so many.
Ed and Melva Curnan Family says
our condolences to the Bower family. We will always remember with fond memories when Ken and Helen visited our family on the island of Kauai.
Jennifer Hogan says
Sending love, prayers and hugs to all of you, especially Treba and Larry. I have so many fun memories of Helen (Haruk!) She always made me feel so welcome in your home. No matter how busy she was working in the garden or sewing some fabulous outfit, she always had warm cookies waiting for us. She was one special woman!
Diane Welbes says
So sorry for your loss–know that mt thoughts & prayers are with you.
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Angy says
So sorry to hear this. I enjoyed being neighbors with her. I enjoyed all our talks and will greatly miss her and her sense of humor.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
We will truly miss seeing Helen in the neighborhood tending her beautiful roses. She always had a friendly word or wave when we saw her and such great spirit.
Pat Gebhart says
Helen was a wonderful person. she always made me feel welcome when I would visit . She will be greatly missed.
Megan King says
Love Helen and all of you! My heart is with all of you during this sad time. She was always friendly, funny and fun to be around, and she was so proud of her family. God bless you all!
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Doug and Lucy Benge says
Treba, Larry and your families:
Your folks were great friends of my parents, and that made them friends of ours. Both of them were workers and would help out with any job at any time. People think younger ones talk fast, they don’t hold a candle to Helen when she got excited, or maybe had a cocktail. She just made you feel happy to be around her with all her energy. She will be missed. Best to all of you.
Doug and Lucy Benge
Lisa Bastian says
Treba & Larry, Your Mother was truly an amazing women who & she always had the most amazing smile. Sending you Prayers for both of you and your family.
Shannon Holmen says
Seems I just saw her walking last week, such a kind free spirit. my prayers.
Miles &Beth Ann Milligan says
We were surprised to hear of Helen’s paassing. It brings many wonderful memories of Helen and Miles’s conversations. I. think Helen is the only other person in Miles City to match Miles in talking. There were many times that I would step back and watch them talking. They were great together. To the Family: kour thoughts and prayers are with you all! I know you have many wonderful memories of Helen a day I know they are happy ones!
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
We are so sorry for your loss! We always enjoyed meeting Helen when we would walk the hospital path and see her coming down the sidewalk. She always had a smile on her face. We also remember her going by our house EARLY in the morning — already done playing a round of golf – done by 6 or 6:30 am. Her energy and smile will be missed by so many.
Berl "Butch" Stallard says
I knew the Bowar’s from my earliest memories. My father aided them in the adoption process of their two children. I played golf with Ken and Helen many times during my grade and high school years. They will both be missed as they were always envolved in Miles City’s activities. My parents were M. Berl and Helen Stallard
Steve Hathaway says
Treba & Larry…so sorry to hear about your mom. I have alot of memories of her from growing up with you two, the bowling alley, but the ones that stick out are from the Country Club. I would ask her how her game was and she would say, “Oh Steve, I think I should stick with bowling. But I’m having so much fun.” Her smile was contagious and she will be missed. Especially my mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.