Connie Kathlene Bowman, 84, of McPherson, KS, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, surrounded by family at McPherson Hospital.
Connie was born as the youngest of six children to Doris (Best) McQueen and her husband, Joseph Edward “Ed” McQueen, in Hutchinson, Kansas on June 1, 1941. She lived in Hutchinson until her marriage to James “Jim” Robert Bowman on December 23, 1964, who she met while attending college at Emporia State University.
Jim was in the Navy, and that led to their living in Newport, RI, Athens, GA, Seattle, WA, and Pearl Harbor, HI in their first fourteen months of marriage. When Jim was deployed to Vietnam, Connie returned to Kansas and completed her teaching degree. After the Navy, the couple moved to Wichita, and she taught grade school in Maize as Jim was working on a Masters at Wichita State University. They then moved to Pekin, IL where she taught while Jim worked at Caterpillar in Peoria and finally, home schooled her youngest daughter when they returned to Kansas. She lived the rest of her 84 years in McPherson where she was co-0wner of McPherson Rental Center and kept the books in good order for 41 years. Being a strong believer in Christ, He was always number one in the guidance of her life.
Connie is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jim; son, James Bowman (Kelly); daughters, Kathlene “Kit” Bowman (Matt) and Becky Bowman; and seven grandchildren, Sarah, Robin, Jimmy, Daniel, Tim, Mariah, and Kei.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Ed McQueen; brothers, Harley Davis (Donna), Don McQueen (Marilyn), and Ed McQueen (Linda); sisters, Juanita Stucky and Marjorie Green (Faye); and son, Scott Bowman (Tara).
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 17, 2025, at New Hope Evangelical Church with Pastor George Bocox officiating.
Memorial contributions may be given to New Hope Evangelical Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.