BOMBER MEMORIAL

GAIL JOYCE WAHLEN BOWMAN ~ Class of 1965
July 21, 1947 - January 24, 2019

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Gail Joyce Wahlen Bowman (age 71) of South Jordan, UT passed away after suffering a stroke on Thursday, January 24, 2019. Gail was adored by her husband, Peter ('66); her two children, Erin and Michael; her son-in-law, Jeff; and her seven grandchildren: Jeffrey, Owen, Paige, Brooks, Lucy, Lexi and Isabelle. She was loved by her two sisters, Judy ('62) and Shelly ('69); her many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and all who knew her.

Gail was born July 21, 1947 in Salt Lake City, UT to Ralph and Lylus (Reading) Wahlen. She grew up in Richland where she attended Jefferson Elementary School, Chief Jo Junior High School and graduated with the Class of 1965 from Richland's Columbia High School.

She met her best friend, Peter Bowman ('66), working at the local movie theatre. Gail attended Brigham Young University while Peter served as a Marine in Vietnam. When Peter returned, the two were married on October 25, 1969 and later sealed in the Logan, UT temple. After their marriage, they moved to Utah where Gail worked as a secretary for the Bureau of Reclamation in Salt Lake City.

After college graduation, the couple then moved to Portland, OR where Peter began his job as a police officer, and Gail continued working for the Bureau of Reclamation. When their daughter, Erin, was born Gail quit her job and became a full-time mom to Erin and three years later, her son, Michael. She taught aerobic dance, was a Girl Scout leader, a room mom, a seamstress, a school secretary, a Relief Society president (twice!!), Stake primary president for ten years and an ordinance worker in the Portland temple for eight years. After retiring, Gail and Pete moved to South Jordan, UT to be closer to their grandchildren and family. She spent the last five years of her life going to soccer games and choir concerts, volunteering at her grandkids school, going to piano recitals, taking kids to allergy shots and attending the temple each week with her sweetheart.

Gail loved Disneyland, Pepsi, sewing baby quilts, Mrs. Backers Pastry Shop, watching Judge Judy and Harry Potter and wearing cozy slippers. She loved baking Christmas cookies, reading her kindle, staying in hotels, eating chocolate Creamies, cross-stitching and going to The Old Spaghetti Factory. Above all else, she loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and her family.

Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Lylus; and by her son, Michael. She is survived by her husband, Peter ('66); her daughter, Erin (Jeff) Blackmun; her seven grandchildren; her sisters, Judy Wahlen Sandberg ('62) [Phil] and Shelly Wahlen Gale ('69) [Ron Gale ('69)]; and dozens of family members and dear friends who will miss their angel wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Funeral services were held at 11 am on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at the Founders Park Stake Center; 11685 S. Kestrel Rise Rd.; South Jordan, UT 84009. Internment followed at the Herriman City Cemetery.

Express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at Premier Funeral Services.

NOTE: Her sister, Judy Wahlen Sandberg ('62), passed away on February 18, 2021.

Bomber Memorial put together Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).