Sue Bower Obituary

Carolyn Sue Bower passed away on July 3, 2025, as she lived, surrounded by people who adored her. She had just celebrated her ninety-first birthday on Flag Day and was looking forward to celebrating seventy-one years of marriage to Dr. Warren Bower in August.
She is survived by her husband, Warren; her children Brenda (Kelly) Olson and Michael (Debra) Bower; her sister Judy Van Meter; seven grandchildren, Harry, Madeleine, Isabelle, Eloise, Jack, Charlie, and Sam; and eleven great-grandchildren. To them and many others, she was known simply – and lovingly – as Amma. As per Sue's wish, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Mayflower Community, 616 Broad Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Sue's family on the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory website at www.smithfh.com.
Famous for her infectious laugh and her flair for fashion – always just the right scarf – Sue lit up every room. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, her table a place of welcome and celebration, her cuisine – "the best restaurant in town." She always had a magical ability to turn everyday moments into meaningful occasions.
She was the creator of treasured cards and photo albums, a dramatic reader-aloud, and a spellbinding storyteller. She was a lover of both birds and Olympic pageantry, not to mention a formidable Scrabble opponent. She never missed a chance to decorate her dining-room chandelier, to break into an impromptu tap dance, or to call out the next number in Big Bower Bingo – a tradition she led with gusto at family gatherings and weddings around the world. Her inimitable wedding toasts, likewise, were eagerly anticipated – and then instantly legendary.
Her grandchildren were her delight, she was one of their loudest cheerleaders and left her mark on each of them. Everyone who knew her felt included, important, and well-loved. She was a fervent and loyal supporter of endeavors both great and small by all those she held dear, most notably of an extensive one by Warren, whose career as a surgeon may not have been quite so outstanding – and it certainly has been outstanding – without Sue's critical and indefatigable assistance behind the scenes.
Sue was active in many local and national organizations focused on empowering women and serving others. She gave of herself endlessly, and her legacy lives on in the joy, kindness, and community she created around her. Sue made life fun.
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