Nita Bowers

Nita Elaine Bowers, 96, a former resident of LeClaire, Iowa died on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center in Davenport, Iowa.

Services will be private.  Memorials may be made to the Snow Masonic Lodge #44 of LeClaire.  Chambers Funeral Home of Eldridge is assisting the family with arrangements.

She was born in Allamakee County, Iowa, the daughter of Merle Edward and May Althea (Ruckharber) Thornton.  On June 12, 1937, she was united in marriage to Arnold Albert Bowers in Rock Island, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on July 13, 1976.

In earlier years, Nita worked at the Lunex Company of Pleasant Valley, the Ben Franklin Store in Bettendorf and the LeClaire Five & Dime.  For many years, she & her husband owned & operated at bait shop near the backwaters of the Mississippi River near Princeton.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Arnita (Don) Kemp of Park View, Iowa; her son, Merle (Mary) Bowers of Princeton; her grandchildren, Kandi, Kevin, John, Brenda, Steve, Joe and Elizabeth; twelve great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Joan Taber of LeClaire; her brother, Tony Thornton of Princeton; a close & special friend, Dick Wales of LeClaire; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In addition to her husband, Nita was preceded in death by an infant brother, Merle; a brother, Tom Thornton; and sisters, Unice Joens, Marge Winckler, Delpha Taber, Jean Parrick and Judy Paxston.