Vivian Cowman's Obituary
The Mass of Christian Burial for Vivian Cowman, 97, of The Alverno, formerly of 609 3rd Avenue South, will be held at Prince of Peace Parish, Sacred Heart Church at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. Mrs. Cowman died on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at her home at The Alverno. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the service time at the church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Mrs. Cowman is survived by 3 children: Stephen A. (Eppie) Cowman of Hermitage, TN, Janis (Dick) Woods of Freeport, IL, and Susan (Bill) Sundermann of Redondo Beach, CA. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.. Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Terrence, Stephen and Suzanne Cowman, Christine Cartwright, Michael and Richard Woods, Liz Osterday, Terese Hawley, Bridget Penwell, James, Kevin and Michael Sundermann. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandchildren: Cassandre Cowman, Tisha Yoder, Dakota and Isabella Cartwright, Kyle and Erin Woods, Alicia, Abby and Thomas Osterday, Brock and Sara Hawley, Brady and Riley Woods, Sydney, Bailey and Zoe Penwell, and Tyler Sundermann. Vivian was born on July 8, 1911 in rural Clinton County to Stephen S. and Mary Anne Scalla Stuckel. She attended schools in the Petersville and Delmar area and was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Academy (Davenport, Class of 1928). Vivian married James (Jim) H. Cowman on October 20, 1934 in Davenport, IA. They moved to Fargo, ND and lived there for several years then moved to Texas and Ohio before finally returning to Davenport. Vivian had been employed with Younkers Duck Creek store as a Manager of the Ladies Sportswear Department for two years then resigned to move to Kansas City, KS with her husband. After several years there the couple moved to Dearborn Heights, MI. Upon her husband's death in 1966, Vivian returned to this area and has since made her home here. She was employed with Jane Lamb Memorial Hospital for several years in the business and insurance departments. She retired from the hospital in 1976 and then later joined the staff at the Clinton YWCA as secretary and receptionist. She retired from the Y in 1981. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, St. Mary's Church and Ladies Auxiliary, an officer of the parish Altar and Rosary Society, a Eucharistic Minister, a member of Mercy Medical Center Auxiliary, past member of Jane Lamb Hospital Auxiliary, Daughters of Isabella, Red Cross, Church Women United and the Madonna Circle. After her retirement her interests were primarily in volunteer work for her church and community. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, 5 brothers, 3 sisters and many nieces and mephews. Many thanks to the staff at the Alverno for making it a home to Vivian. Memorials may be made to The Alverno.
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