Turner, Margarete Helen Bowers

Margarete Helen Bowers Turner died peacefully on June 21, 2011, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the age of 98. She was recently living in The Meth-Wick Community.

She was born Nov. 24, 1912, in the Draper train depot, but her father, William “Bill” Bowers moved shortly after to Murdo, where he was the Murdo station train agent until his death in 1943. She lived over the depot with her two brothers, Robert (Bob) and William (Bev). Following the death of her mother, Clara, her father married Constance Francis in 1926, and she and her three boys, John, William and Charles, joined the family in the depot. The family bonded quickly.

In the 1930s, during the depth of the Depression, Margarete moved to Los Angeles to seek employment, and worked for the Van De Kamp Bakery. She met William Turner at the bakery (he always wanted an apple pie). They were married for 33 years. After his death in 1979, Margarete moved to Cedar Rapids to be with her best friend from early childhood, Gladys Kruse, and her daughter, Judy. They shared many happy years together.

Margarete loved living in her own home next door to devoted neighbors, Ellis and Mary Carol Lambertsen, and nearby dear friends, Jim and Barbara Mead. She was a dedicated sports fan watching the Iowa Hawkeyes regularly on television.

Margarete had a warm, cheerful personality which endeared her to all who knew her.

She will be long remembered by family and dear friends.

She will be buried in the Murdo Cemetery next to her parents.

Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.