Bowlby, Ethel M. (Krueger), 99, died Nov. 19, 2008. Viewing will be 8:00 A.M. ~ 9:00 P.M., Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, Downing & Lahey Mortuary East. Service 1:00 P.M., Monday, Nov. 24, College Hill United Methodist Church, 2930 E. 1st, Wichita. A luncheon and visitation with family and friends will precede the service at 11:30 A.M., at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Mulvane Cemetery. Born Aug. 26, 1909, she was blessed with a long life, well lived. Preceded in death by the love of her life, C. Earl Bowlby (2-21-06), and her father and mother, C.F. and Hulda Krueger. Survived by brother, Gordon M. Krueger (Indiana), and nieces and nephews Juanita (Gary) Exman (Ohio); Dr. Gordon E. (Nan) Krueger (South Carolina); Robert (Beverly) Bowlby (Ohio); Marylou Fallon (Mulvane, KS); Nancy (Gerald) Human (Colorado); Marilyn (Lee) Hohenstein (Nebraska); and Rebecca Sanderlin (Arizona). She and Earl did not have children, but came to have a large family. Her kind spirit, interest in people, listening skills, and sense of humor made friends who became like family. She regularly kept in touch with family/friends through letters, cards, and flowers. She attended Friends University 1928-1930, along with her high school sweetheart Earl. Ethel taught for four years in rural one-room schools in the Mulvane area. She and Earl were married in 1934, and lived in Belle Plaine where he became principal of the Belle Plaine Rural High School. They moved to Wichita in 1940, and attended College Hill United Methodist Church. She, and Earl, made friends in Wichita from the start. Earl and Ethel were lovingly supportive of each other, and their family/friends, over all the years. Active in her churches for many years, Ethel taught third and fourth grade Sunday School for 27 years, and was active in Women's Circle. Earl was principal at Woodland Elementary, Central Jr. High, Marshall Jr. High, and then Coleman Jr. High. Ethel was his steady support. She also worked as a secretary at College Hill United Methodist, and in Price Elementary and Harris Elementary schools, leaving employment to care for her mother and then Earl's mother. In their later retirement years, Earl and Ethel lived at Sedgwick Plaza Retirement Community, and were honored one year there as Valentine's Day King and queen. Ethel, and Earl, were at the Life Care Center of Wichita several times for rehabilitation and recovery, and since 2006 Ethel resided there. Many thanks to all at Life Care Center for their kind and loving care, especially in Ethel's final days. Memorials to: College Hill United Methodist Church. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com
Published in the Wichita Eagle from 11/20/2008 - 11/23/2008