Shelly R. (Duncan) Bowman

Shelly R. (Duncan) Bowman

Shelly Bowman, 40, of Eau Claire, died February 21, 2007, at home after a 6-year battle with cancer.

She was born on February 10, 1967, in Tomah, WI, the daughter of Ronny and Carol (Cook) Duncan. She married Paul Bowman on October 6, 1990. On June 10, 1994, she gave birth to a daughter, Zoe, the light of her life.

Shelly graduated from Tomah High School in 1985. She continued her education, graduating from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education. In 1992, she received a Master's degree in Physical Education from UW-LaCrosse.

Shelly taught in the Eau Claire Area School District at Northwoods Elementary, and South and DeLong Middle Schools starting in 1992. Shelly was well known to her husband's students as "the Lovely Mrs. Bowman." She loved the students and staff and considered teaching in Eau Claire a privilege. She was especially touched by the many acts of kindness shown by those associated with the Eau Claire schools. These are too many to list but Shelly counted each one as a special blessing.

Shelly reached out to others effortlessly and gave easily of her time. She loved being with her countless friends as long as they were willing to keep moving. Running, biking, or walking, it didn't matter to Shelly, pausing only long enough for a blizzard at D.Q. (Twist ice cream with Oreo.)

Throughout her six-year fight with cancer, Shelly had the opportunity to get to know and care for many doctors, nurses, and caregivers as well as her fellow survivors. Her courage, concern for others, and positive attitude were an inspiration to many at Sacred Heart's Cancer Center. She was so grateful for the wonderful staff there, especially her doctor, Dean DelMastro. She loved them all.

The most important people in her life were her family. To the very end, she was concerned with them and not herself. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her daughter, Zoe, caused her to glow with pride and love. Her greatest memories are of her special trips with Zoe. Though her time with us was too short, she gave us a lifetime of love.

Shelly is survived by her husband, Paul and daughter, Zoe. She is also survived by her parents, Ronny and Carol (Cook) Duncan, of Tomah, a brother, Todd (Gwen) Duncan, of Camp Douglas, grandmothers, Mildred Cook and Margaret Mikolajczyk, both of Tomah, mother-in-law, Mary I. Bowman, sisters-in-laws, Mary Kary (Jim) Mullen, Nancy Babel, Patricia (Jim) Ruth, Sue (Phil) Mullane, Ellen (Larry) Calkins, Liz (Curt) Kracht, and brother-in-law, Jerry (Mary) Bowman. Shelly is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Oliver Cook and Carl Mikolajczyk, father-in-law, Paul C. Bowman, and brother-in-law, Bernie Babel.

Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at St. John's Lutheran Church. Pastor Thomas Bryan and Pastor Ned Lenhart will officiate. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery immediately following the service.

Friends may call at the church on Friday afternoon from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and again on Saturday morning from 9 am until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Shelly's name to the American Cancer Society. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Friends may offer their condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.