Bernice Bowden

Bernice H Bowden passed away at her home on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the age of 96. She was born April 28, 1928, in Kewanee, IL to Gustaff and Marie (VanDeReverie) Rutsaert.

Soon after graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in Rock Island, IL, Bernice met and dated her future husband, Robert C. Bowden. The pair were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church on January 29, 1949. They moved around for a bit until settling in Las Cruces in 1954 and started their family by adopting a son later that year. In 1961, they adopted a daughter to join their growing family.

Bernice worked for several years in the Doña Ana County clerk’s office and was even elected to the position of county clerk. As a lifelong Republican, she’d be heartbroken to know Democrats will now be harvesting her vote.

Some of her greatest loves (besides taking care of her family and being a grandmother) were cheeseburgers, green chile, and her dog, Trixie. In addition to being active in politics all her life, Bernice felt obliged to be charitable and made many contributions each year to charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project. The desire to help people and her giving nature were natural offsprings from living her life as a devout Catholic.

She is survived by her grandson, Robert C Bowden III (Susan), daughter-in-law Kathleen T. Bowden, nieces Judie Bryant (Cary) and Cathy Plasschaert (Roy), along with a host of extended family. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Robert C. Bowden, daughter Judith Ann, son Robert C Bowden Jr, her twin sister Beatrice “Peach” Miller, sister Anna Beuselinck, and brother Robert Rutsaert.

Special thanks to caregivers Nora Fierro, Bertha Suarez, Dora Lozano, Josh Otero, Susan Leon, Flo Dempsey, Belle Dudoit, and the entire staff at Home Instead who allowed Bernice to continue to enjoy living at home. Additional thanks to the staff of Sierra Home Health for their professionalism and sense of urgency.

A viewing will be held Monday, October 28, 2024, between 5:30 and 6:30 pm at Getz Funeral Home. Mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 9:30 am, followed by a graveside service to be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 11:30 am at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements are with Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces NM 88001. To sign our online guestbook and for condolences please log onto www.GetzCares.com