Andrew Joseph Bowen, Jr., age 83, of McNaughton and Lake Tomahawk, went home to God on Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 3:45 p.m. surrounded by his loving wife, Linda Kay, Nurse Shelley West and Old English Sheep Dog, Torie, after a long and courageous battle with pulmonary disease. He was born on May 22, 1926, at the Milwaukee Hospital to Andrew Joseph and Laura E. (Gunderman) Bowen, Sr. of Wauwatosa. He attended schools and graduated from the Wauwatosa High School in 1944. He then served in the U.S. Navy Air Corp AOM 3rd Class from 1944 to 1946. On August 7, 1948, he married Ann Grassel in Wauwatosa at St. James Ev. Lutheran Church, and she preceded him in death on March 1, 1998. Andrew worked for Gridley Dairy and later was an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance in the Wauwatosa area. In 1957, the family moved to Black Lake Road, where he built their home on Brown Lake and he continued as an agent for Prudential. Andrew purchased his first school bus in 1957, and later purchased a fleet of buses and stared the Bowen Bus Company, and ran it until he retired in 1991, when his son, Jeffrey took over the business, and it still runs today after 50 plus years. During his many years as a bus driver, he made many wonderful friends with the students and their families. Andrew is a charter member of the volunteer Newbold Fire Department where he received the dedication award in 1977; member of the Zion Ev. Lutheran Church along with the United Methodist Church of the Pines, and in 1961 he, Gene Martieshus and Robert Fries started the Newbold Memorial Cemetery where he served as sexton, along with his son, Jeff until the time of his death. Andrew is a 60 year member of the American Legion, where he transferred his membership to the Colin F. Shultz American Legion Post 318 of Lake Tomahawk where he served as commander for two years; was awarded Legionnaire of the Year in 2006, and attended the National Convetion in California in 2000 with his wife Linda, who was serving a two year term as the 11th District Auxillary President, and he served as a Stg. of Arms to the National Commander. Andrew is also a member of the DAV and 40 & 8. He has been a Lions Club member for the past 42 years; member of the Wilderness Garden Club of the Lakeland Area where he served as program chairman for eight years; member of the Lake Tomahawk Historical Society and has served as treasurer for seven years; member of the Keenager Group at the United Methodist Church of the Pines and has served as their treasurer for seven years, and is a charter member of the New Tom Sno-Fleas Snowmobile Club. He married Linda Kay Houghton of Lake Tomahawk on March 13, 1999, at the United Methodist Church of the Pines in Minocqua. Andy loved traveling with his wife Linda Kay, collecting antiques, snowmobiling and boating, as well as working in their vegetable and flower gardens together. He also enjoyed outdoor sports, the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs, fishing and hunting. He enjoyed being a part of his wife's Tastefully Simple business and enjoyed all the special friends they made during the past eight years. He will be deeply missed by his wife Linda Kay, his family, his furry friend, Torie, their Old English Sheep Dog and many special friends. Andy is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Linda Kay Houghton-Bowen; five children; Laura (Jeffrey) Lutter of Watertown, Terri (Bill) Brost of McNaughton, Pamela (Robert) Wallace of Loves Park, IL, Jeffrey (Wendy) Bowen of McNaughton and Wesley (Diana) Houghton of Florida. He is also survived by eight grandchildren; Stephanie Lutter of St. Louis, MO, Eric (Bonnie) Brost of Rhinelander, Chad Lutter of Madison, Kevin (Sarah) Brost of Eau Claire, Elizabeth, Katelynn and Seth Andrew Bowen all of McNaughton, and Andrea Faith Houghton of Florida; four great grandchildren; Jordan and Becca Brost of Rhinelander, Breanna Lutter of Madison and Logan Brost of Eau Claire; a cousin, Annabelle Wessels of Jacksonville, OR; two second cousins; David (Diane) Gunderman of Oconomowoc and Judy (Daryl) Kaufmann; and his furry friend, Torie, his Old English Sheep Dog. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Ann. Visitation for Andrew will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at the Carlson Funeral Home (369-1414 / www.carlsonfh.com). The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church with Rev. David Sternberg officiating. Interment will be in Newbold Memorial Cemetery. A memorial is being established in Andy's name and can be directed to his wife or to the American Lung Association.
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