St. Charles, MO - Hope Louise Fowler, nee Brown/Gibbs, age 94, of St. Charles, Mo., formerly of Winslow, Ill., died in her home on May 7, 2016. She was on Hospice for some time after falling several times and being in the hospital with pneumonia.
She was born Hope Louise Brown on Oct. 12, 1921 in Hamilton, Ill., the fourth child of Franklin B. Brown and Millie (Ensign) Brown. During the depression she and her siblings were placed in The Iowa Soldiers and Sailers Home in Davenport and from there, she and her sister Mary Lou were adopted by Daniel C. and Clara (Burrows) Gibbs. On June 23, 1946 she was united in marriage with Harold Stanton Fowler in the chapel of the University of Dubuque.
Hope graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1941 from Earlville High School and went on to the University of Dubuque where she earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree, majoring in Home Economics and Business. She taught in the Winslow, Ill. High School until it was consolidated, and then took classes and became a grade school teacher there in Winslow until her retirement in 1985, ending 35 years in the same building.
She was renting a room in Winslow from a widow, Enid Debell, and when her son came home from the war they fell in love. She married Harold S. Fowler and made their life in Winslow until he retired. Then they traveled and also bought a winter home in Zephryhills, FL. They were "snowbirds" for many years until Harold's failing health made them decide to move closer to family in Missouri.
Many interests kept her busy through the years. She was a dedicated teacher, always taking classes and reading up on things she could use to keep it interesting for her students. It was also not unusual for her to give extra help to those in need. To her, they were more than just her students, they were people. She loved to read on many subjects and was always doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. For many years she was an avid quilter and also did needlepoint and crochet. She and her husband also built and decorated 2 large doll houses. After retiring she took a writing class and decided to write her autobiography. She finished and self-published "A Story of Hope" The Autobiography of an Adopted Kid in 1995.
Surviving are a daughter Pamela H. Koehler (D. John), of St. Charles, MO and a son Stanley H. Fowler (Eleanor) of Fort Collins, CO., a sister Mary Lou Schmitz of Manchester, IA, a brother Frank Brown of Oroville, CA, four grandchildren; Adam J. Koehler (Kris) of Merriam, KS, Janell M. Krill (Danny) of St. Charles, MO, Sarah R. Carr (Brian) of Eaton, CO and Kenneth H. Fowler of Fort Collins, CO, also six great-grandchildren; Joshua, Brenna & Ian Koehler and Bryson, Owen and Olivia Carr.
Preceding her in death were her parents, one sister, Ruth (Ann) and 4 brothers, Robert, Walter, Homer and Otto Brown.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on May 11, and the funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. on May 12 at Leamon Funeral Home in Winslow, IL. Burial will be at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow.
Memorial's can be sent to the McConnell United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.
She was born Hope Louise Brown on Oct. 12, 1921 in Hamilton, Ill., the fourth child of Franklin B. Brown and Millie (Ensign) Brown. During the depression she and her siblings were placed in The Iowa Soldiers and Sailers Home in Davenport and from there, she and her sister Mary Lou were adopted by Daniel C. and Clara (Burrows) Gibbs. On June 23, 1946 she was united in marriage with Harold Stanton Fowler in the chapel of the University of Dubuque.
Hope graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1941 from Earlville High School and went on to the University of Dubuque where she earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree, majoring in Home Economics and Business. She taught in the Winslow, Ill. High School until it was consolidated, and then took classes and became a grade school teacher there in Winslow until her retirement in 1985, ending 35 years in the same building.
She was renting a room in Winslow from a widow, Enid Debell, and when her son came home from the war they fell in love. She married Harold S. Fowler and made their life in Winslow until he retired. Then they traveled and also bought a winter home in Zephryhills, FL. They were "snowbirds" for many years until Harold's failing health made them decide to move closer to family in Missouri.
Many interests kept her busy through the years. She was a dedicated teacher, always taking classes and reading up on things she could use to keep it interesting for her students. It was also not unusual for her to give extra help to those in need. To her, they were more than just her students, they were people. She loved to read on many subjects and was always doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. For many years she was an avid quilter and also did needlepoint and crochet. She and her husband also built and decorated 2 large doll houses. After retiring she took a writing class and decided to write her autobiography. She finished and self-published "A Story of Hope" The Autobiography of an Adopted Kid in 1995.
Surviving are a daughter Pamela H. Koehler (D. John), of St. Charles, MO and a son Stanley H. Fowler (Eleanor) of Fort Collins, CO., a sister Mary Lou Schmitz of Manchester, IA, a brother Frank Brown of Oroville, CA, four grandchildren; Adam J. Koehler (Kris) of Merriam, KS, Janell M. Krill (Danny) of St. Charles, MO, Sarah R. Carr (Brian) of Eaton, CO and Kenneth H. Fowler of Fort Collins, CO, also six great-grandchildren; Joshua, Brenna & Ian Koehler and Bryson, Owen and Olivia Carr.
Preceding her in death were her parents, one sister, Ruth (Ann) and 4 brothers, Robert, Walter, Homer and Otto Brown.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on May 11, and the funeral will be held at 11:00 A.M. on May 12 at Leamon Funeral Home in Winslow, IL. Burial will be at Rock Lily Cemetery in Winslow.
Memorial's can be sent to the McConnell United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.