Our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, Gloria Schwantes Bowers (93), had a joyous reunion with her eternal companion and many other family members on December 01, 2019. She died in West Jordan, Utah of natural causes incidental to age. She was born as an identical twin on July 2, 1926, in the small town of Douglas Az to Henry Carl Schwantes and Elizabeth Loving Schwantes. The twins, Gloria and Glendora, along with their seven siblings, grew up in Douglas Az. They were often the center of attention, entertaining the neighborhood with tap dancing, ballet, cheerleading and dressing alike all the time. They graduated from Douglas High School in 1944.
Gloria went on to college at BYU, winning cheerleading positions, and several "Queen of the ball" honors. She graduated with a degree in Business in 1948. From there she and her twin headed to New York City finding jobs and friends in the big city. Gloria gained experience working for Time Magazine and met lifelong friends in Manhattan (LDS) Ward. Highlights of her New York experience were serving a proselyting Stake Mission, a bicycling hostel trip to Martha's Vineyard, and seeing the opening night performance of South Pacific on Broadway.
Gloria met her husband- to- be, Eugene S. Bowers (Gene), in New York City. They continued their courtship in Salt Lake City where they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1952.
Together they had five children and raised their family in the East Mill Creek area. Gloria enjoyed her ward and stake callings in the Young Women and other organizations of the LDS Church. She was an efficient and hard-working mother and wife and enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed skiing with her husband and children and the family cabin in Big Cottonwood Canyon. She loved cooking, entertaining and the get-togethers with their dinner and study groups.
After raising her children, she worked for OC Tanner Company and then took care of her husband as his health declined. She and her twin, Glendora, became roommates again where they enjoyed each other's company in an assisted living facility for the last year and a half.
She is survived by her children Matthew Bowers, Michael Bowers (Carolyn), Lisa Nielsen (Jim), Denise Rider, Russell Bowers (Shari); 21 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren, her twin sister Glendora Stubbs and many other close relatives. Preceded in death by her husband Gene, parents Henry and Elizabeth Schwantes, and siblings Ora Mae Huish, Elsie Fern Bushman, Ruth Stricklin, Mildred Bangerter, Henry Carl "Budso" Schwantes Jr, John "Bud" Schwantes, Olga Elizabeth "Beth" Beene and Marvin Rider, son-in-law.
Funeral Services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary located at 3401 S Highland Drive 84106 starting at 11: 00 AM on Saturday, December 7 a viewing will be held at the same location on December 6, from 6:00-8:00 pm and 1 hour prior to Funeral Services. For full obituary please visit www.wasatchlawn.com
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wasatchlawn.com for the Gloria family.
FAMILY
Matthew BowersSon
Michael Bowers (Carolyn)Son
Lisa (Jim) NielsenDaughter
Denise RiderDaughter
Russell (Shari) BowersSon
Gloria is also survived by her 40 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and many other close relatives and friends who will cherish her memory.
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