Richard (Punk) L. Bowers

Richard Lee 'Punk' Bowers, age 68, Clark, died at his home with loved ones by his side on Monday, March 10, 2008. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 10AM in the United Methodist Church at Clark with the Reverend Warren Rhodes officiating. Burial, with full military honors will be provided by the Raymond American Legion Post and the Clark VFW Post, will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-7 PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and will continue one hour prior to services at the Church on Friday morning. Music will be by Wanda Bethke as organist and David and Carol Finstad singing "The Old Rugged Cross" & "No One Stands Alone". There will also be another special musical selection "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go Dear Lord". The congregation will sing "Amazing Grace" & "The King of Love, My Shepherd Is". Casketbearers will be Larry Lynch, Larry Brenden, Butch Claussen, John Howardson, Tommy Painter, Bud Johnson and Jim Mahlen. All friends and neighbors should consider themselves as honorary casketbearers. He was born on February 23, 1940 in Fordham Township, Clark County, to Earl and Hattie (Nolta) Bowers and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Harvey Kruthoff. He graduated from Logan School in 1958 and went to work on a pipeline from South Dakota to New Mexico until 1960. He then worked for the Clark County Highway Department from 1960 until 1962 at which time he joined the United States Navy and qualified as a Seabee, the military nickname given to the construction battalions of the United States Navy. Richard put his training to work in Vietnam where he was wounded on June 19, 1964. He was awarded a Purple Heart and also commended for his bravery in action before being honorably discharged in 1965. By his side during the medal ceremony was his one and only true love, Betty Jean Parks. They were married on October 23, 1965 at Reno, Nevada. Richard brought Betty back to Clark County, where the couple would make their home among family and friends. He worked with his brother, Jack, at Everett's Repair Shop before joining the Clark County Highway Department in 1966. Richard operated heavy equipment for 17 years and was foreman of the department, also for 17 years, before retiring in 2000. For 31 wonderful years Richard and Betty lived in Clark. They raised two children and, with them, enjoyed life to its fullest. Betty passed away on April 6, 1996, with Richard by her side. He was a member of the Raymond American Legion Post #204 and the Louis Larson VFW Post #4774 of Clark, a former member of the Rose Hill Cemetery Association Board and was a member of the United Methodist Church. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, family and his many friends. With them, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards and visiting in his shop. Richard had an incredible sense of humor and was loved by all. Richard will long be remembered for being very generous with his time, knowledge and willingness to help. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include his children, Scott (Dawn) Bowers of Martinez, Georgia and Audrey (Jason) Nordmark of Rolla, North Dakota; six grandchildren, Matthew, Blake, Bryjett, Samantha, Shaelee and Joslyn; brothers, Marvin (Helen) Kruthoff, Jack (Joanne) Bowers all of Clark, Jim (Jean) Bowers of Redfield, Gary (Linda) Kruthoff of Clark, Dale (Sandi) Kruthoff of Turlock, CA, Don (Mary) Bowers of Raymond and Larry Lynch, a great friend, whom he loved as a brother, mothers-in-law, Dorothy Andrew of Salt Lake City, UT and Marge Sparaco of Hayward, CA; an aunt, Kathryn Becker of Clark, a sister-in-law, Darlene Kruthoff of Watertown and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his wife Betty, father, Earl and mother, Hattie, step-father, Harvey, brothers, Merlyn, Duane and Gene and a sister, Lucille. Funeral arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is