Having gone on several cruises, I had brought many T-Shirt back from the

islands for Irene.

I remember being down at Ray and Zell's and going over to Bob and Irene's and playing with Michael and Cherrie when you were little. I know Irene was a real go getter and a wonderful lady. She will be missed. Carol Charbon Foster

Mick, Cherie and Marv and others-

A true GYM teacher back in the day when kids were allowed to play real games. She taught us everything from throwing footballs to tinikling to square dancing and dodgeball. Every year we looked forward to the attempting the Presidents Award for physical fitness. Watching my son participate in the elementary track meet two weeks ago brought back great memories. Even in our crazy fifth- and sixth-grade years, I don't remember her ever raising her voice toward me or any of my juvenile-delinquent friends.

My daughters, who are now in their 30's, attended Mark Twain and had Mrs. Bowers as their gym instructor. They have fond memories of her and are still grateful for her teaching ability, kindness, and her personal example of a lifetime of personal fitness.

Michael, Cherie, and family,

I send my warm thoughts and sympathy to you all. We lived close to Irene for many years. She was a model for physical fitness as she walked great distances regularly. I also taught at Mark Twain School a couple of years where Irene was the physical education teacher. I always enjoyed my contacts with Irene. She always greeted me with a smile and a friendly comment. I hope that your many memories of Irene and the love of family and friends will support you at this time.

Sincerely,

Ruth Kuntz

Hi, Cherie & Michael, I want to extend my condolences to you both. I worked with your mom for two years. I remember heras being a great physical education teacher. She told us what it was lie when she was the only PE teacher in the district. She said she took the city bus between schools to offer classes.During the 2 years we worked together she had perfect attendance at school. It was during a period when we needed to begin offering breakfast to the children at Mark Twain. Before we started the program, I asked Irene what she thought about it, since it would affect her classes since the breakfast program would be served in the gym, meaning Irene would have to work around tables up at the beginning of first period etc.... Irene was very magnanimous about the innovation & very supportive of the children who needed the program. Her attitude made it easier for us to implement the breakfast proramI. 'm glad I had a chance to know her and I'm glad she lived such a long & healthy life. Theresa Schoen

Mr. Bowers was my first PE teacher when I attended Mark Twain Elem. school starting in 1983. I can remember that she "demanded" a lot from her students no matter who you were or how athletic you were. She could get after you if you were not paying attention, etc.

The members of the Johnson County Retired School Personnel wish to send their sympathy for the death of Irene Bowers. Ten dollars will be put into our Kirkwood Scholarship fund in memory of Irene. Many of us have fond memories of Irene.

My condolences to the Bowers family. They have lost a wonderful person. I came to know Irene through Mickey. Mickey was coaching our slow pitch softball team and Irene was our number one fan. She was a great supporter of health and physical fitness and a true role model for all the lives she touched.

I was so sorry to see that Mrs. Bowers passed away. I remember her so well at Mark Twain Elementary in the 1970s. She was a great teacher and her presence will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time!!

Irene was the first person I met when I joined the Johnson County Historic Preservation Commission in 2009. She was warm and welcoming and a diligent Secretary for our group. Irene seemed to know every nook and cranny of Iowa City and its surroundings, and she always had some interesting bit of history to share, whatever project the commission was working on. Irene will be greatly missed. Much sympathy to her family and friends.

My family moved to 1st Avenue in Coralville in 1957, across the street from the Bowers family. It was a residential street then, carrying large trucks to the pipeline terminal. All of the children played together in the open fields and yards. Cherie, Mickey (Michael) and I would play in the open yard between their house and their grandparents' home. I struggled to hit, although I tried and tried. One day Mrs. Bowers came outside, taking time to teach me how to hit a softball. It was a great kindness. I went on to enjoy playing for many years. It was one of the many things she did with us. I will remember her fondly.

My sincerest condolences to the Bowers Family. May the God of all comfort (Psalms 83:18) help you during this difficult time.

I worked at Twain and Irene's office was off the gym where we served lunch. I left in 1999 and didn't realize I would see Irene again but when I started going to the senior center there she was and as active as ever.. She always had a smile and spoke to everyone. I remember when tim Dwight came back to twain where Irene had been his pt teacher and their picture together hung in the hallway. She was proud of Tim and his accomplishments as she was of all of her students. If I can remain as active as Irene has been during her life; I'll feel I accomplished something. thoughts and prayers to Irene's family

Joan

I began at Mark Twain in kindergarten approx. 1961. Mrs Bowers was my gym teacher then. Later, when I had children of my own, they also went to Mark Twain and had Mrs Bowers as their gym teacher. She was always kind and wanted kids to excel as best as their abilities. She was a friend of my Dad's as well (Dick Lee). I talked to her at the 50th Anniversary at Mark Twain. She will be missed by many. I am sorry for your loss!

Irene was a huge inspiration on my life. God bless her wonderful soul. You will be missed, but will continue to inspire.

She was my favorite person to see and eat with at the SENIOR CENTER. One

thing for sure, I never challenged Irene in pool or cards! I knew better. She

was loved by everyone and I don't think there is one student who attended

grade school, that she didn't have in gym class. God Bless You Irene.

Irene was a wonderful person and a great PE teacher. I often saw her at Iowa softball games, as well, and sometimes would sit and chat with her. She sure had a zest for life! My condolences to your family.

I have known Irene for years. As a youngster, I knew her as the mother of my friend and as an adult, I knew her as a fellow teacher. Whenever I saw Irene, she always had a hello and a friendly smile for me and everyone. She was a role model for me as the kind of teacher I wanted to be, caring and interested in what you had to say. Iowa City will miss her, but she will not be forgotten.

I met her at the Senior Center. I and my husband would go on Sundays to eat and enjoy Merrill Sparks playing the piano there would be singing and dancing and Irene there When I saw her at LPCC , I asked her what are you doing here? As she was always so active! I never knew Coralville was indebted to her for the cemetary. I clip obituaries for the library for genealogy and hers definetely belongs in that scrapbook. My codolences.

Although, I didn't know Irene, she does look familiar, and I'm sure it's through track and field days in the school district. I want to extend my sympathy to the family. My grandmother worked with Irene many years ago when she was at Mark Train Elementary. Her name was Ruth Lane. She actually only worked a couple hours a day, serving school lunch, after she retired from her job at UIHC, but she talked so fondly of Irene and always enjoyed her so much. I still remember her talking about her and smiling when she'd talk about her. I know she was a wonderful person who will be missed by many. I'm sure they are catching up now, and smiling and laughing. So sorry for your loss.

So goes life. Your Mom has passed. SO much enthusiasm, even when she was yelling at Mick! Your Mom always had a smile, a sort of grave-ell voice, and a great laugh and smile.