Gerald "Edd" Edward Bowman

Gerald Edward Bowman (Edd) was born on June 20, 1950, in Ottumwa, Iowa, and passed on Monday, July 17, 2023 at the age of 73 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

The first child of Loel and Pauline (Hays) Bowman, Edd attended Ottumwa High School, graduating in 1968. He married the girl next door (Diana Cullinan) on June 7, 1969, and ten days later, left for training to serve his country he loved in Vietnam.

After his service to our country, Edd earned his Associates Degree in Business from the American Institute of Business (AIB). Edd utilized his logical mind and attention to detail in his professional life, first in the Des Moines office of the IRS, and then Principal Financial Group for 35 years, where he mentored many in the process of pension management.

In March of 1973, his daughter Angela was born, and on Edd’s birthday in 1979, he received the greatest birthday gift of his life when his son David arrived! That was a special day for both Edd and David that will be cherished forever. Edd loved his Diet Coke, going to the movies, making popcorn for his family for movie nights at home, and most importantly, his family…though maybe not in that particular order…maybe?!. He was so proud of his children’s accomplishments and was always willing to celebrate them, especially when deviled eggs were served! He never missed a band concert, sporting event, or theater performance, and Angela and David could always look up in the stands and see dad there, cheering us on our successes and supporting us in our defeats.

After retirement, Edd transformed into Grandpa Uber for his grandchildren, Liam, Sean, Brendan, Harry, Mary, and his foreign exchange granddaughter Edya, picking them up for school and from school daily…no matter the weather. He loved attending the boys’ baseball and football games, Mary’s soccer games and dance recitals, concerts, or anything that had to do with his grandkids. They were the light of his life. His sense of humor was unwavering…up until his final days when he tapped his toes and smiled to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”

Edd called his very close family “George”, and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diana “George” (Cullinan) Bowman of Waukee; their children and spouses – Dr. Angela “George” (Dr. Sandy “George”) Bowman of Waukee; David “George” (Sarah “George”) of Clive, and his five grandchildren William “George”, Sean “George”, Brendan “George”, Henry “George”, and Mary Elouise “Girl George” Bowman of Clive.

He is also survived by his siblings, Greg (Sharon) of Ottumwa; Kevin (Debbie) of Plymouth, MN; and Sheila (Jeff) Lancaster, of Altoona, many nieces, nephews and cousins. Edd was preceded in death by his parents Loel and Pauline Bowman, his grandparents Thomas Ford and Beulah Arminda Hays of Lancaster, MO, and John Lemont and Floy Gertrude Gray Bowman of Monroe, IA.

A visitation will be held Monday, July 24, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Ernst Funeral Home in Waukee, IA.  A mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 S. Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA with burial to follow at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, IA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of Des Moines, IA, Hospice of the Midwest, or to the family who will donate in Edd’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

And remember…always look on the bright side of life.

Ernst Funeral & Cremation Services of Waukee has been entrusted wit Edd's final arrangements.