COLUMBUS

Wilma “Laverne” Bower, 85, of Columbus died at 9:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Keepsake Village of Columbus.

Born May 23, 1930, in Bartholomew County, she was the daughter of William and Clara Runge Siekman, boh of whom preceded her in death. On July 30, 1961, at St. Paul Lutheran Church Clifty, she married Robert E. Bower, who also preceded her in death on July 29, 2008.

She was a 1948 graduate of Columbus High School and was retired after many years of service for Irwin Union Bank. She was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her cousins, Robert (Marilyn) Runge of Columbus, Sandra (Dr. Jon) Lindemann of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mary Mellencamp of Cortland, Dwight (Janet) Smith of Columbus and Brent Smith of Columbus; a sister-in-law, Darlene Bower of Columbus; godsons, Jim (Sharon) Morgan of Chicago and Andy (Jillian) Morgan of Grove City, Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Myers-Reed Chapel, 25th Street, Columbus, with Pastor Mark R. Teike officiating.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service time Wednesday. Burial will be in Garland Brook Cemetery.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Florence L. Siekman and Elsie Siekman.

Memorials may be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church or Bartholomew Country Humane Society.

Online condolences may be shared at myers-reed.com.