Susan E. Bowers

Susan E. Bowers, 55, of Mason City, died Friday, October 12, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Avenue, with Rev. Emily Horrell officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Tuesday (October 16, 2012) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401. Memorials may also be directed to the Education Foundation of Mason City Public Schools. Memorials can be made online at masoncitycsd.org/educationfoundation or mailed to 1515 S Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401. Susan was born on September 12, 1957, in Peoria, IL, the daughter of Paul and Marian (Hanggee) Nadler. In 1975, she graduated from Exira High School in Exira, IA. She continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She later returned to UNI, earning a Master’s Degree. Over the years, Susan taught Title 1 Reading at Roosevelt Elementary and 3rd Grade at Jefferson Elementary. She had a passion for teaching, and for more than 30 years, she loved seeing the smiling faces of the children in her classroom and around the school everyday. On November 17, 2001, Susan married the love of her life, Dave Bowers, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Mason City. She was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, where she was very active – including singing and song leading in the church choir. Susan loved to be around people, and enjoyed spending time and having a good laugh with her family and friends. She also enjoyed motorcycle rides with her husband, traveling to Colorado, Branson and Hawaii (among other places), acting in the Mason City Community Theatre, singing and listening to music – especially Martina McBride – and going to live concerts. With a positive attitude, as well as a helping hand, listening ear and encouraging words – Susan was a great role model and inspiration to everyone she touched. Susan is survived by her husband: Dave Bowers of Mason City; her children: Jennifer O’Brien of Des Moines, IA, Krista O’Brien of Chicago, IL, and Stacy Henryson and husband Ryan of Wes Des Moines, IA; her mother: Marian Nadler of Cherokee Village, AR; grandmother: Helen Hanggee of Cherokee Village; 1 brother: Steve Nadler and wife Brenda of Mansfield, OH; mother-in-law: Alice Bowers of Creston, IA; step-sister: Amy Curtis and husband David of Urbandale, IA; and 2 step-brothers: John Burg and wife Teri of McGregor, IA, and Gary Burg and wife Sandy of St. Joseph, MO. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 2 children: Michael O’Brien and Kyle Bowers; her father: Paul Nadler; grandfather,Warren Hanggee; father-in-law, Orvin Bowers; and step-mother, JoAnn Nadler.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401.

Visitation:
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Tuesday (October 16, 2012) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue.

Service:
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Avenue, with Rev. Emily Horrell officiating.