Betty Lou (Finch) Bowhay

Betty Lou (Finch) Bowhay was born on February 24,1931 on the family farm in rural Pawnee County, the only child to Tillman and Anna (Vrtiska) Finch. She attended country school in rural Pawnee County and graduated as Valedictorian from Liberty High School in 1948. 

On September 5, 1953 she married Robert "Dallas" Bowhay. While he served in the U.S. Army they made their home in Lampasas, Texas until 1954 when they moved to Gage County, Nebraska.  They then moved to Summerfield where they purchased and operated a gas station/tire repair shop. Betty was Dallas' true partner in every business they had. Betty repaired many flat tires in the service station, helped Dallas with the custom harvesting and started and operated Bowhay Truck Line Inc. until she retired in 2015. She always helped at the farm but after riding a hog that ran between her legs while sorting, she refused to ever help him sort hogs or cattle again. 

Betty was a  member of the American Legion Auxiliary, for 61 years, as well as a member of the Red Hat Society. She loved to oil paint and  gave many of her paintings away. She enjoyed sharing her talent and taught her grandchildren and great grandchildren to paint. A lover of animals, Betty always had a dog and numerous cats.  She also enjoyed gardening, canning, mowing, playing Bunco and Canasta and visiting with her neighbor and friend Zita Osterhaus. Strong willed and never afraid to voice her opinion she was also always ready to help and support others and will be missed by many.  

Betty passed away on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at the age of 88, at Pawnee Community Memorial Hospital.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Tillman and Anna Finch, husband, Dallas Bowhay, parents-in-law, Clyde and Helen Bowhay,  brother-in-law Burdette Bowhay, sister-in-law Beverly Heidbrink, brother-in-law-Dennis Heidbrink, grandsons, Joshua Bowhay, Seth Gee, Colten Bowhay and great-granddaughter Taylor Bowhay.

Betty is survived by her children Shery Rohmeyer (Don), Terri Gee (Kevin Graf), Todd Bowhay (Julie), 5 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Per Betty's request there will be no traditional service, however there will be a Celebration of Life, September 28, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Summerfield City Park to sit under a tree and drink a beer in her honor.

Private inurnment will be at a later time at the Liberty Cemetery.

Memorials to The Playground Restoration at Summerfield City Park. 

Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Pawnee City. 

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