Mary was born on May 28, 1941, in Morrison, the daughter of Raymond and Dorothy (Moorman) Brackemeyer. She married LeRoy Bowman on January 17, 1959. He preceded her in death on June 22, 2007. Mary was employed for over 20 years as the Sexton of I.O.O.F Cemetery and later the Coloma Township Cemetery in Rock Falls. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling. Mary was on Mary’s Mission Open Door Policy, St. Mary Prayer Group, Sacred Heart Parish Council, Newman Students, and Boylan Retreats.
Survivors include her daughter, Laurie Ryerson of Sterling; two sons, John (Kathy) Bowman of Sterling and Thomas Bowman of Dallas, TX; daughter-in-law Dawn Bowman of Sterling; one sister, Nancy (Erin) Winter of Apple Canyon; two brothers, Thomas (Jane) Brackemeyer of Sterling and John (Teresa) Brackemeyer of Portland, OR; five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, David Bowman; one brother, James “Moose” Brackemeyer; son-in-law, Michael Ryerson; and daughter, Jenny Lee, in infancy.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the McDonald Funeral Home in Sterling. Graveside services will follow at 12:15 PM in Sacred Heart Cemetery with Reverend Thomas Doyle officiating.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.
