Ardell Ray Bowman, 74, Luverne, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
Ardell Bowman was born Dec. 17, 1944, to Victor and Marie (Olson) Bowman in Luverne. He was raised and attended school in Luverne, graduating from Luverne High School in 1962. Ardell entered the United States Army National Guard and honorably served from 1965 to 1971.
On May 14, 1966, Ardell married Jayona “Jay” Collins at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Ardell then continued his education at Mankato State University in Mankato and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1969. The couple lived in Mankato, Detroit Lakes and Grand Forks, North Dakota, until returning to Luverne in 1973. Ardell became employed at Tri-State Insurance, which later became Continental Western Group, and worked there for 43 years until his formal retirement in June 2012.
Ardell was baptized into the Lutheran faith as a child and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was a former member of the Luverne Rotary Club and the South Dakota and Minnesota Claims Association.
He enjoyed classic cars, camping and riding bicycle. Ardell cared about animals, in particular, bears, and he and Jay volunteered one summer at the North American Bear Center in Ely.
Ardell was an avid fan of Minnesota Gopher athletics, especially their basketball and football programs. His passion was reserved for his children and grandchildren, and he enjoyed attending their sporting events.
Ardell will be remembered for his genuine caring and compassion, his welcoming hugs and handshakes, and his contagious smile. He was grateful for the relationships that he made and for God’s beauty.
Ardell is survived by his wife, Jay; two sons, Scott (Molly) Bowman of Luverne, and David (Laura) Bowman of Mankato; four grandchildren, Gracie Bowman, Rafe Bowman, Mollie Bowman, and Sophia Bowman; two siblings, Ronald (Irene) Bowman of Dunedin, Florida, and Carole (Gordon) Hemme of Arlington, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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