Roberta "Bobbie" Bowman

Roberta “Bobbie” Bowman, of Bertram, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on May 21, 1943, in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bell. Bobbie lived a life defined by kindness, faith, family, friendship, and an unwavering willingness to help others.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2026, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service, Grace Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Burial will follow the service in the church columbarium. A luncheon will follow the burial at the church. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to Camp Courageous in care of Charlie Becker or the Medical Lending Closet.

Bobbie was truly one of the kindest people you could ever meet. She never turned away anyone who needed help and was always willing to lend an ear, offer a helping hand, or share her wisdom. If you needed advice, Bobbie was the person you went to—somehow, she always seemed to have the answer.

Her sense of humor was one of a kind. Bobbie had a special gift for making people smile and laugh, even during difficult times. Some of the best moments were spent sitting together, talking about life, remembering the past, and laughing about the memories that meant so much to her and her family.

Family was at the heart of Bobbie’s life. She loved cooking and bringing everyone together around the table for family meals. She cherished those moments of togetherness, and the memories created over good food and conversation. She also loved writing letters to her friends for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. She never forgot an important date and always made the people she loved feel remembered and special.

Bobbie dedicated 20 years of her life to working at WMT. She also spent much of her lifetime supporting Camp Courageous, a cause that held a special place in her heart.

Her faith was an important part of who she was. Bobbie was a faithful and active member of Grace Episcopal Church, where she loved worshiping God and formed many wonderful and meaningful friendships. She dedicated years of volunteer service working in their medical lending closet. Her faith, compassion, and love for others were reflected in the way she lived her life each day.

Bobbie’s greatest legacy will not be measured by the years she lived, but by the lives she touched. She leaves behind countless memories, lessons, laughter, and love that will continue to live on in everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Howard; grandchildren, Amanda (Zac) Cahill and Justin (Amber) Musil; great-grandchildren, Caden, Devin, Chloe, Ryker, Kylie, and Bentley, along with many other family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents.

Kindness:

I shall pass through this world but once;

If, therefore, there be any kindness I show,

Or any good thing I can do,

Let me do it now;

Let me not defer or neglect it,

For I shall not pass

This way again.

These words so beautifully reflect the life Bobbie lived. She showed kindness, offered help, gave advice, shared laughter, remembered the people she loved, and made a difference wherever she went. She never waited for another time to do something good for someone—she simply did it.

Though our hearts are broken by her passing, we are grateful for the lifetime of love, laughter, wisdom, faith, and memories she gave us. Her kindness will be her legacy, her laughter will live in our memories, and her love will remain in our hearts forever.

Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Bobbie’s obituary page and share your support and memories with her family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.