Velma Bower

Velma L. Bower, age 89, of Fullerton, Nebraska formerly of Monroe, Nebraska died Thursday, December 24, 2020 at the Arbor Care Center in Fullerton.

Funeral Services are 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 4, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Monroe. Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus. Interment is in the Okay Cemetery in rural Monroe. A dinner will be served at the Monroe School Gymnasium following the burial.

The Service on Monday will be broadcast on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook Page.  You can access the Facebook Page by clicking here .

Velma Leigh Bower was born October 6, 1931 in Schuyler, Nebraska to John Thomas and Jessie Neta (Kyler) Hashberger. She attended school in Schuyler. On October 16, 1947 she was united in marriage to Roy T. Bower at the Baptist Church in Platte Center, Nebraska. The couple farmed in the Monroe and Platte Center area until moving to Monroe. Velma worked as a clerk at Hagenbuck's I.G.A. Store in Monroe. She also worked at Columbus Dry Cleaners and Pearson Hardware in Monroe. Velma was a member of the Monroe American Legion Auxiliary Unit 322 for 53 years where she served as unit president, vice president, and county auxiliary president. She was a Boy Scouts Den Mother where she received the Silver Fawn, Lakers, Boy Scout Family and District awards. Velma was involved in the Nebraska Rural Carrier Auxiliary where she served as the district III committee woman and state treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president. She was a certified swimming instructor and taught swimming lessons for 25 years in Genoa. Velma also belonged to the Red Cross County Blood Program, Monroe Lion's Club, AARP & NARFE Associations.  She was an active member of the United Methodist Church where she taught bible school and served as the superintendent, assisted with youth group, women's group and served funeral dinners and the annual turkey dinner for over 25 years. Velma was a member of the Loup Valley Gem & Mineral Society, where she served as treasurer, secretary, and president. She was also a member of the Northeast Nebraska Rock & Mineral Society.

She is survived by:
Daughter: Evelyn (Steve) Kovar of Columbus, NE
Son: Steve Bower of Ellenton, FL
Daughter-in-law: Diane Bower of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren: Chad (Tabitha) Knopick of Omaha, NE
Robyn Bower of Columbus, NE
Jarrod Bower of Waynesboro, VA
Shannon Bower of Waynesboro, VA
Brian Kovar of Columbus, NE
Great Grandchildren: Sarah Bower, Megan Bower, Conor Knopick and Lucy Knopick
Sister: Margaret Tackner of Fremont, NE
Brother: John Thomas Hashberger of Dodge, NE
Brother: Robert Dale Hashberger of Council Bluffs, IA
Sister: Hallie Knapp of Fremont, NE
Special friend and past caregiver: Vicki Boettcher of Fullerton, NE
Brother-in-Law: Glen (JoAnn) Bower of Stromsburg
Sister-in-Law: Dee Borchers of Columbus

She was preceded in death by:
Parents: John and Jessie Hashberger
Husband: Roy T. Bower
Son: Leander Bower
Son: Jon Bower
Sisters: Elizabeth Phares, Audrey Henry, Forest Dietriech, Edna Walker, Goldie Foote and Donna Della Hashberger
Sister-in-Law: Viola (Richard) Adkisson