Downey....Emmagene Betty Bowen passed away Sunday, August 4. 2019.Jean was born April 21. 1929 at Dony, Kentucky, to parents Andrew J. Osborne and Mildred Johnson Osborne.
Jean was raised in Kentucky until 1940, when her family moved to Idaho and settled in Pocatello. Jean left school in the 6th grade, but that was never a problem for her: She owned and operated two cafes - both named "Betty's Café", one in McCammon and one in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.
Jean also raised Maltese dogs, and was a great homemaker, and loved her garden and flowers.
Jean married Lester A. Betty in December 1945. They later divorced. In August 1970, she married the love of her life John Bowen, which expanded her family by 5. She loved the outdoors, spending time at the cabin in Dempsey Creek and raising her Maltese puppies. She enjoyed working in her garden and yard. She loved riding horses with her husband, John. She also enjoyed cooking and homemaking.
Jean is survived by her children: daughters, Jeanie Nisson and Kay Thomason; sons, Lester (Shela) Betty and Dennis (Maria) Betty; step-daughters, Jackie Bowen and Teresa Bowen; step-son, Scott Bowen; 27 grandchildren, many great- and great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Devon (Ike) Orgill, Lynna Bolen, Joyce (Mike) Chuppa, and Millie Deck.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, John; two brothers, Henry and Jack; two sisters, Bunny and Corina; one step-son, Brad Bowen; one step-daughter, Harriet Bowen; two grandchildren, Colton Neeser and Michael Stenger.
Funeral services will be on Friday at 12 noon in the Horsley Marsh Valley Funeral Home, 570 N. Meadowview Drive in Arimo. There will be a viewing from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
