Born January 21, 1940 in Manito to Virgil B. and Lela L. (Hilst) Lawson, she married Duane L. Bowers on September 5, 1959 in Peoria. He died February 28, 1989 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Sharon Price and Ellen Marie Lawson at birth.
Surviving are three daughters, Diana (James) Ayres, Lisa (Myron) Green and Tammy (Billee) Fuller, all of Pekin; two sons, Rodney (Barbara) Bowers of Washington and Roger Bowers of East Peoria; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Dustin, Jennifer, Rebekah, Sarah (Damien), Allison, Patrick (Ian), Andrew (Renee) and Adam; bonus grandchildren, Kevin (Glenda), Jill, Tonya (Anthony), Molly (Derrek), Josh (Emily), Joice and Nicholas; seven great-grandchildren, Carter, Gabriel, Presley, Nico, Robert, Grayson and Sorin; two brothers, Dewayne Lawson and William Lawson, both of Pekin; two sisters, Ellen Morrison and Janet Lawson, both of Pekin; two brother-in-laws, Gene (Cathy) Kouri of Morton and Al ( Beth) Morrison of Pekin and many nieces and nephews.
Patsy owned and operated several bakeries with her husband in the Peoria and Pekin area for 43 years with the last one being opened was Patsy’s Bakery in Pekin. She also worked at Pekin Hospital as a Registered Nurse for 40 years, retiring in 2014.
A loving and dedicated mom, grandma, granny and sister, Patsy enjoyed crocheting, bowling, traveling, a good treat from Dairy Queen and watching March Madness with her grandson.
Patsy was a pillar in the community and the firm foundation of her family. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family and loved the quality time she was able to spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren making Christmas cookies. She also enjoyed sitting in her driveway playing games with her siblings.
She faithfully watched church services from Christ’s Church at Stanley from Clayton, Oklahoma.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Rev. Cindi Schimmelpfennig will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate. 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637 or Christ’s Church at Stanley, 171272 N. 4250 Road, Clayton, Oklahoma 74536.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
