David Samuel Bowe

David Samuel Bowe was born August 23, 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Ralph and Grace (Shepard) Bowe. He grew up in Spencer, Iowa, and graduated from high school there. As a high schooler he played football and developed a lifelong love of the game. David worked from a young age and throughout his life was interested in innovative methods to earn money and invest it well. He hawked newspapers, sold milk bottles, poured concrete and worked various other jobs through school. He joined the navy and served for four years during World War II. His first tour of duty was in the Aleutian Islands, after which he signed on for a second tour on a mine sweeper during Operation Crossroads as part of the Bikini Atoll nuclear bomb testing. While attending university after World War II he enlisted in the Army ROTC and was commissioned into the Army Reserves where he served as an ordinance officer for five years until 1954.

David married the love of his life, Carolyn, in 1949. He graduated from the University of Minnesota and Dunwoody Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1951 with plans to teach industrial arts. He was drawn instead into the construction field, selling windows for Pella Products in Minneapolis. He, Carolyn, and their toddler moved to Fargo in 1953 where David began a 35 year career in business as owner and operator of Pella Products, Inc. Always the entrepreneur, David was a local pioneer in early solar technology and assembling air exchangers for use in commercial and residential construction. He started Kitchen Concepts in Fargo and developed regional planning centers for his window and kitchen businesses.

In 1957 David and Carolyn purchased a lot on Cotton Lake which became the family’s retreat and gathering place for what is now nearly 60 years. Both David and Carolyn enjoyed the outdoors and shared their love of swimming, fishing, camping, canoeing and sailing with their five children. David loved to play cards. His children and grandchildren will miss their shared games of cribbage and threes.

Through the years David had a wide variety of interests and hobbies. He flew a small plane, worked with wood, collected oil lamps, read extensively, and owned rental property. As a landlord, David often rented to people with few resources. He was adamant that “everyone needs a place to live”. He would often give renters many chances to catch up with their rent payments and was always acutely attuned to the life circumstances of his tenants.

David was active with service organizations throughout his business career and into retirement. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks, and the Fargo Lions Club. He and Carolyn were active in politics and in furthering equal rights for women and promoting affordable women’s health care. Upon retirement, David and Carolyn enjoyed many travel opportunities throughout the world.
David passed on April 7, 2016 at his home at Bethany on 42nd where he had resided for the past year. David’s biological family wishes to extend a thank you to his extended family at Bethany for the exceptional care and compassion given to him during his time there. Thank you, too, to the VA staff who supported David through the home-based program which allowed him to live additional time in his home.

David is survived by his 4 sons, David (Vicki), Moorhead, MN; Jonathan (Cassie) Owatonna, MN; Nate (Terri), Detroit Lakes, MN; Michael, Denver, CO, daughter, Sara Jane (John Brown) Bowe, Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Jani, William, Joshua, Ted, Jillian, Kelsey, Jessica, Aimee, Jonah and Matthew, and 9 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Carolyn, and four siblings.

According to his wishes, David will be cremated. A celebration of his life will be held at Bethany on 42nd – Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00 AM.