Nina E. Bowgren

NINA E. BOWGRENAge 91 of Wasco, passed away late Friday evening, July 27, 2007 at her home, surrounded by the love of her family. BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born August 8, 1915 in Campton Twp., not far from where she would live her entire lifetime. In her very early years, separate tragedies would take both her parents and Nina would grow up in Mooseheart, Batavia, IL. Difficult as it was, Nina always had good memories of her years at Mooseheart and the tragedies that tore her family apart only served to make her stronger and more committed than ever to finding and keeping her family together. Following graduation from Mooseheart, Nina lived briefly in Chicago but soon returned to the Fox Valley and made her home with friends in St. Charles. Her first job was at Operadio in St.Charles. Ironically, her future husband worked at the same company in a different department but it would be a barn dance that introduced the two. They were wed on June 5, 1937 and shortly came to make their home on the Bowgren family homestead in Wasco. They were blessed with one son, Terry and as he approached school age, Nina began working as a cook at the Wasco Grade School. It was the perfect job for a young mother and one she genuinely enjoyed. Through the years she also worked at Potters General Store in LaFox and at Denny’s Den in Wasco. At the same time, she and Stanley raised cattle, roosted as many as a thousand chickens and delivered eggs all over the area! Neither her hands nor her mind were ever idle. Nina enjoyed gardening, crocheting and knitting and was a whiz-bang at crossword puzzles. The loved dancing, bingo, cards, the Cubs and the Bulls. Across her life-time, Nina’s devotion to family was her passion. She struck out on her own, making trips across the country to re-connect with her family and made sure that all of them (and all of her husband’s family) got together regularly. When Stanley retired in the mid-seventies, he and Nina began camping and traveling around the country visiting relatives and enjoying friends. If the tragedies of her young years drew her closer to family, they also drew her closer to her faith. Nina was an active member of the Wasco Baptist Church for many years. She loved life and lived every moment but had no regrets and no fear of the day that would bring her last moment. In addition to her church-life, Nina was a member of the Sunset Swingers, the Wasco Ladies aid and the Yo-Yo Club!SURVIVORS She is survived by one son, Terry (Joan) Bowgren, WascoSix Grandchildren: Shelly (Mike) Boney of Wabeno, WIJulie (William "Chip") Ehlers of Little Chute, WI, Casey (Karen Schmidt) Bowgren of WascoLisa (Clint) Stauff of Sugar Grove, ILKim (Mike Clesen) Bowgren of Elburn, Clint Bowgren of Maple Park.Seven great grandchildren (and one any moment now!) Kevin and Brittany Boney, Aimee Larson and Ashlee Larson ,Kristen and Nathan Ehlers andChloe Stauff.Two sisters:Roberta Hadick of California and Anna Mae Willing of St. Charles, IL. In addition she leaves many nieces and nephews, a community of friends and her beloved pet, "Tweetie Bird".PRECEDED In addition to her parents, Stanley, Dec. 1, 1995Siblings: Roy Williams, Lyle Williams, Louise (Hendrick) ValliereDave Williams, Ruby Harris, Stella Stroupe.One great granddaughter, Amy Boney MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Nina’s name to benefit the Grace Lutheran Church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Nina Bowgren Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. Call 800-8-CONLEY for information.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Nina’s name to benefit the Grace Lutheran Church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Nina Bowgren Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. Call 800-8-CONLEY for information.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 31, from 4-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, Aug 1 at 10:30am at the funeral home. The Rev. Ernst Rex, pastor of the Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, will officiate.

Interment will follow at Garfield Cemetery,