Bowen-Miller, Kathy A.

Kathy A. Bowen-Miller, 56, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, in Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, from complications of a life long illness. Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Randy Kasch. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her daughter, Jaimie (Patrick) Miller-Higgins of Minneapolis, Minn.; son, Jordan serving in the military; parents, Bob and Lorraine Bowen of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Gary (Cathy) Bowen of Littleton, Colo., and Mike (Liz) Bowen of Cedar Rapids; her sister, Jan (Bob) Jacoby of Marengo; and many special nieces and nephew.

Kathy was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Peter and Martha Wyjack; a sister, Dixie Lee; and daughter, Brandi Lee Bender.

Born Dec. 7, 1954, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Bob and Lorraine (Wyjack) Bowen, Kathy graduated from Jefferson High School in 1973, and attended Kirkwood Community College. She worked for Medicap Pharmacy as a tech and had a part time dog grooming business out of her home. Kathy had a special love for animals, especially cocker spaniels.

Talented in the field of writing and poetry, she was also a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where she was a Stephen Minister, Iowa Statewide Organ Procurement Organization, National Kidney Foundation, Cedar Rapids Women's Bowling Association and the Degree of Honor Society. She also did volunteer public speaking on organ donation/transplant and was a participating member of Team Iowa Transplant Games.

Often seen with a smile on her face or a joke to tell, Kathy had a vivacious personality, loved life and was extremely dedicated to the closeness of her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by us all.

At Kathy's request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Iowa State Organ Procurement Organization, 550 Madison Avenue N, North Liberty, IA 52319 or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 153 Cherry Hill Rd, NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Please sign the online guest book for Kathy at under obituaries.