Ruth Bowland, 81

Ruth Rachel Bowland, 81, Parkers Prairie, died Friday, November 23, 2012 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.

Ruth was born September 28, 1931 to Willie G. and Elsie (Thorpe) Riedel in Parkers Prairie. She grew up in Parkers Prairie, where she was baptized October 12, 1931 and confirmed June 10, 1945 at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She attended country school and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1949. She was united in marriage to Larry E. Bowland on June 23, 1949 in Conrad, Montana. Following their marriage, they lived in Franklin Park, Illinois, where Ruth worked at Sears and later as a secretary to the credit manager at Boyd Needle.

In the early 1950s, they returned to Parkers Prairie, where they made their home and raised their family. Ruth completed her tax preparation education. She worked as a teller at First National Bank and as an independent tax preparer, before working for Elmer Bergquist Tax Service and Delores Thun Tax Service.

She worked as a store clerk at Larson's Hardware, The Store, and Gellespies Department Store, all in Parkers Prairie. She was an election judge for the city of Parkers Prairie, auction clerk for Bowland Auction Service, census taker, and a local news correspondent for the Independent Newspaper for many, many years.

She was a housewife and mother for 63 years. She was a volunteer at the elementary school for health screenings, a Cub Scout den mother, PTA, Parkers Prairie Sports Booster and ran the bingo hall with her brother, Mel, for Parkers Lions.

She never retired and her door was always open for coffee and homemade doughnuts. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie where she was active in ladies aid and LWML for more than 50 years.

Ruth enjoyed playing bingo and trips to casinos and she loved spending time with her family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her children, Bud Bowland of Yuma, Arizona, James Bowland of Minneapolis, Judy Bowland of St. Anthony Park, Tiger (Greg) Iverson of Parkers Prairie, John (Lisa) Bowland of Foley and Tim (Cassie) Bowland of Cambridge; two brothers, Mel (JuAnn) Riedel and Duane (Myra) Riedel, both of Parkers Prairie; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandson; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie G. and Elsie Riedel; husband, Larry, on October 9, 2012; infant brother, Harold Riedel; brother, Chester Riedel; sister and brother-in-law, Edna and Lawrence Raap; and niece, Vickie Riedel.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 27 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with the Rev. Kirk Lee officiating. Music was provided by organist, Maureen Diedrich. Burial was at Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Jessie Bowland, Karl Freudenberg, Michael Freudenberg, Wade Iverson, Cody Iverson, Jacob Bowland, Justin Bowland, Ty Bowland and Chase Bowland. Honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters, Amber Zimmerman, Andrea Freudenberg, Rachel Ulstad, Elisha Jacobsen, Cassie Iverson, Ashley Beukelman and Mackenzie Bowland.

Arrangements are with Lind Family Funeral and Cremation Service; www.lindfamilyfh.com.

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