Dorothy Cowells

Dorothy Helen (Holmquist) Cowells, 86, a resident of Bettendorf, passed away Monday, November 16, 2015 at UnityPoint Trinity Bettendorf.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2015 at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Burial will be at Liberty Cemetery in rural Atkinson, Illinois. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family or to Animal Aid Humane Society in Moline, Illinois.

Born on March 5, 1929 in Boone, Iowa, Dorothy was the daughter of Axel and Mabel (Anderson) Holmquist and was also raised by her aunt and uncle, Amanda and LeRoy Clark. On April 7, 1951 in Rock Island, she married Gerald B. “Jay” Cowells. He preceded her in death on December 18, 2013.

Dorothy worked as a registered nurse for the former Moline Lutheran Hospital, retiring 1983. Dorothy enjoyed bird watching, reading, antiquing, pictures and jewelry. She and her husband loved to dance. Dorothy cherished her time spent with family.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Jaylene (Dan) Peterson of Bettendorf; granddaughter, Monica Adams of Las Vegas, Nevada; step-grandson, Orry (Chantelle) Peterson of Edginton, Illinois; and great grandchildren, Calilynn and Barrett.

She was preceded in death by her parents; aunts and uncles; husband; son, Roy; granddaughter, Ericka; five brothers and two sisters.