Ethel M. (Krueger) Bowlby

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 near Haverhill, KS, she was blessed with a long life, well lived. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, C. Earl Bowlby (2-21-06). They were married 71 years. Also preceded in death by her father and mother, C.F. and Hulda Krueger. She is survived by a brother, Gordon M. Krueger (Indiana), and nieces and nephews Juanita (Dr. 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. Through many years she regularly kept in touch with hundreds of family/friends through letters, cards, and flowers. Graduating in 1927 from Mulvane, Kansas high school, she delayed attending college the following year to help care for her father in the family home during his final illness. She attended Friends University from 1928-1930, along with her high school sweetheart Earl. After completing the requirements to be a teacher, Ethel taught for four years in rural one-room schools in the Mulvane area, driving on many muddy or snowy roads. She and Earl were married in 1934, and he continued his teaching, now in the Belle Plaine schools, where he became principal of the Belle Plaine Rural High School. They moved to Wichita in 1940, living first on South Spruce Street, and later East 3rd Street, and attending 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 the years. Active in her churches for many years, Ethel served as assistant secretary for a time at College Hill United Methodist, taught third and fourth grade Sunday School for 27 years, and was active in Womens Circle. After several years of teaching at North High, Earl went on to be the 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 Earls mother. In their later retirement years, Earl and Ethel lived at Sedgwick Plaza Retirement Community, and were honored one year there as Valentines 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 Ethels final days. Memorials to: College Hill United Methodist Church. Viewing will be 8:00 A.M. ~ 9:00 P.M., Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23, Downing Lahey Mortuary East. 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.