Reed J Bowen Sr., age 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully from the effects of progressive dementia on March 11, 2015. Reed was born at home on the family farm in Salem, Idaho on March 23, 1934 to Guinevere Lucy Jensen Bowen and Grant Reese Bowen. He was the seventh of eleven children.

Reed graduated from Sugar-Salem High School and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Texas Louisiana Mission 1954-1956. He attended the University of Idaho where he graduated with a Juris Doctorate of Law degree and soon started his law practice in Idaho Falls, Idaho.


Reed married Beverly Rae Sommer in 1958. They were later divorced.


Reed had a larger than life personality and could command the attention of any room he entered. Those who knew him well enjoyed stories of his many experiences. He was a farmer and cowboy at heart and was hardly ever seen without his cowboy hat and boots. Reed's family was the most important thing to him and he was always very motivating and supportive. He will be remembered for his unselfish love of his family, friends and the Lord and his interest in learning, great literature, beautiful cars, the great outdoors, and horses.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Beverly Bowen Idaho Falls, ID, their nine children, Reed Bowen Jr. (Mary) Riverton, UT, Teresa Gentle (Dan) Idaho Falls, ID, Crystal Hansen (Mark) Corona Del Mar, CA, Melissa Hathaway (Evan) Boise, ID, Stephanie Jorgensen (Scott) Coeurd'Alene, ID, Janell Bowen Fullmer Idaho Falls, ID, Eric Bowen (Toli) Chandler, AZ, Alison Bowen Claremont, CA , Dr. Brian Bowen (Marci) Vancouver, WA, also, twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, three brothers, Lyle Bowen (Jacqueline) Idaho Falls, ID, John Bowen (Leslie) Rexburg, ID, Dwight Bowen Midvale, UT, and five sisters, Guinevere Taylor (Homer) Hibbard, ID, Norma Pieper (Dee) Salt Lake City, UT, Doralee Rydalch (Don) Idaho Falls, ID, Suzanne Critchfield (Hilton) Oakley, ID, Kaye Parkinson (Howard) Sandy, UT.

Reed was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Barbara Love (Bill) Provo, UT, one brother Grant Morrell Bowen (Norma) Idaho Falls, ID.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home prior to services. Interment will be in the Sutton Cemetery in Archer, Idaho.

The entire Bowen family would like to thank the staff of Turtle and Crane Assisted Living in Idaho Falls, ID and the wonderful hospice caregivers from Encompass Home Health & Hospice.