Marlene Bowers

“Life is like a Quilt…

Years bound together

Embellished with family and friends,

Backed with Tradition,

Stitched with Love

With cornerstones placed carefully

To create a one-of-a-kind

Journey through time.”

-Unknown

Marlene Sherwood Bowers passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, June 2nd at the Utah Valley Hospital having spent her last days in the company of family  and, in her own words, “Surrounded by blessings.”

Born on April 2, 1932, the 7 out of 10 children in Levan Utah, Marlene quickly gained skills with sewing and caring for her family that would continue to a love of quilting later in life. She was married to Charles Ray Bowers on February 10, 1949, and later solemnized her marriage in the Provo temple as a part of her faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which always held a strong presence in her life.

Marlene lost Ray in 2002 and then devoted herself to her family and her incredible skills as a seamstress and quilter. She spent her time caring for her great-grandchildren and quilting several times a week with her beloved quilting friends. There are so many people in her family and church that have a baby or wedding quilt thanks to the work of their needles and thread.

Marlene is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Nola Christiansen and Mrs. Ella Brown and her four children: Paula (Bruce) Newman, Charles Rex Bowers, Rick Bowers, and Robert (Valoy) Bowers who will always remember expertly sewn homemade clothing, watching the Lawrence Welk Show, and the best Thanksgiving stuffing and gravy that no one can replicate in quite the same way.

Marlene is also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren who will have fond memories of cool summer evenings swinging under the cherry tree, beautifully made wedding and baby quilts, fresh-picked tomatoes from the garden, perfectly wrapped tuna and pickle sandwiches, and sitting on the front steps eating potato chips among blooming flower pots and the giant, shady trees.

Marlene will be missed, but her love for her family and legacy of beautiful family quilts will be passed from generation to generation along with her memory.

A viewing will be held Thursday, June 6 from 6-8pm at Anderson Mortuary in American Fork. A second viewing will be held Friday, June 7th from 9:45-10:45 am followed by funeral services at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ward house on 320 N 100 E, American Fork. A gravesite dedication and internment will be held at the Levan City Cemetery at 2 pm.