Hilda Bower

HILDA BOWER

Cedar Rapids

Hilda Bower, 88, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of New Tripoli, Pa., died Thursday, May 19, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. officiated by Certified Celebrant Jim Parton. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. before the service at the funeral home. A dinner will be held at Cedar Memorial Family Center immediately after the service. Private family inurnment in Cedar Rapids will take place at a later date. Family members in Pennsylvania plan to hold a memorial there at a later date.

Hilda was born Dec. 18, 1927, in Allentown, Pa., to Frank and Pauline (Deutsch) Gmoser. She was united in marriage to Elwen "Buddy" Bower on June 12, 1945, in Allentown. She had been a resident of Cedar Rapids for the last three years.

Hilda was a homemaker, devoted caregiver to her husband, Buddy, and loving to her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Hilda and Buddy were members of St. Paul's Church in New Tripoli, Pa., and were active in the church and with their extended family here and in Pennsylvania. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and spending time with her great-grandchildren. She had a smile for everyone she met and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, Buddy; daughter, Bunny (Ron) Coffin of Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Nathan and Alex Brandis, both of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchildren, Adriana, Carter and Bryanna Brandis; one great-grandchild expected in August; and her sister, Margaret Schaffer of Macungie, Pa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Rita Bower.

A memorial fund has been established in Hilda's name.

Online condolences may be conveyed at www.cedarmemorial.com.