Joan Bowers December 14, 1930 - August 2, 2026

Joan Florence Bowers

Joan Florence Bowers, 95, of Chesterfield, Missouri passed away peacefully at her home on August 2, 2026 with family at her side.  She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend and she will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

Joan was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 14, 1930 to William J. and Florence P. Preckel.  She was the youngest of five children (Florence, Helen, Lucile, Bill, Joan).  She attended St. Rita’s in Vinita Park and Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis, Missouri.  After high school, she worked in a Title Company office in Clayton, Missouri prior to marriage.  She was united in marriage to Donald Richard Bowers on August 18, 1956 and they were blessed with four children; Janet (1957), Greg (1960), Donna (1964) and Carol (1967).  Joan and Don lived in Florissant, Chesterfield, and Washington, Missouri building life-long friendships in every location!  The parishes, schools and communities in each location were the cornerstone for family life.  As a couple, they exemplified Christian living, marriage and parenthood and they set an example for their children and grandchildren to love family unconditionally, attend church regularly, be active in your community and put your talents to use in the service of others.

Joan had a talent for gardening and every residence was evidence of her ‘green thumb’ both indoors with thriving houseplants and outdoors with gardens full of blooms in every season including iris, peonies, roses, hydrangeas, lily of the valley and many others.  She was a member of the Chesterfield garden club and participated in multiple flowers shows submitting flower arrangements.  In addition to flowers, she was a very practiced home canner using a granite ware canner to process tomatoes as well as making pickles, Grandma’s chili sauce, multiple jams and jellies and freezing green beans and other garden vegetables.  Joan was an avid crafter as well, crocheting afghans for those she loved as well as making ceramic treasures for family and friends (Christmas trees were one of her most treasured gifts!).  She also served as both a 4-H club leader and project leader teaching youth to sew and cook through 4-H projects.

Joan was very active at Ascension Catholic Church in Chesterfield, Missouri including both school and church activities.  Family life revolved around activities at Ascension.  She shared her cooking skills by assisting and baking for multiple parish turkey dinners and bake sales.  Joan’s Catholic faith was central to her life and fundamental in all things.  Often when teaching her young daughters the art of ironing (Dad’s handkerchiefs and family pillow cases), she would often include the recitation of the rosary!  She hosted multiple dinners for the special religious people working in the parish (school and church) and maintained contact with them after their relocation and/or retirement.

As the children got older, Joan would sometimes accompany Don on business travel that would take them to locations across the globe in Europe (Ireland) and Asia (Thailand) as well as U.S. (Hawaii) and international travel (Rome) for pleasure.

Joan’s quick smile and generous, gentle nature brightened the lives of all who knew her.  Joan was preceded in death by her parents and siblings as well as her husband, Don (in 2016 after 60+ years of marriage); daughter, Carol (1967); and grandson, Andy (2002).  She is survived by daughter, Janet (Bill) Hubbard of Catawissa, MO; son, Dr. Greg (Jan) Bowers of St. George Island, FL; daughter, Donna (Patrick) Lorge of Alexandria, VA; as well as her beloved grandchildren, Karen, Julie, Betsy, Christy, Philip, Donald, Douglas, Rachel, Robert and great-grandchildren, Will, Leah, Parker, Dexter, Riley, Norah, Ellie, Alex, and Henry.  Joan was a shining example of her catholic faith and will be forever loved by her family and friends.

Services:  A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Ascension Catholic Church (Little Church), 230 Santa Maria Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005 at 10:00 a.m.  There will be a brief gathering in the parish hall (behind the little church) after the funeral Mass prior to interment.  Interment Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to the following are appreciated:

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Ripa,Missouri

St. Louis Province-Please designate for Retired Sisters Fund.

https://csjcarondelet.org/donate/

Sisters of Loretto in Nerinx, KY

Please designate for the Retired Sisters Fund

https://www.lorettocommunity.org/donate/ways-to-give/`

Association of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri

https://amm.org/?form=donate