Judith Bower

Judith Ann (Dunbar) Bower, 79, of Mount Pleasant, passed away peacefully Monday, March 9, 2026, at Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield.Judy was born on April 12, 1946, at the Washington Community Hospital in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Dale and Maurine (Sheets) Dunbar. She attended Keota grade school until the fifth grade while the family lived south of Keota, east of Talleyrand.Judy attended sixth grade in a one-room school in Mount Zion. She then attended Lockridge for junior high school and graduated from Fairfield High School with the class of 1964. Judy briefly attended Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Mo.After graduation, Judy was employed with H&R Block, Henry County Savings Bank, and US Bank for 25 years as a supervisor in the bookkeeping department. She then worked as a case manager for the Henry County Attorney for 13 years before retiring.Judy married Ben Bower in Mount Pleasant on June 21, 1970.Judy was a talented seamstress and an avid reader. She sang in the Southeast Iowa Sweet Adelines Choir, Mount Pleasant Choral, the Iowa Wesleyan College vocal group, and her church choir. She also played in the bell choir and was an accomplished piano and flute player.Judy and Ben built their first home in rural Salem, where they lived for 12 years. They later moved to West Point for 14 years before building a home in Mount Pleasant, where they currently reside.Judy and Ben shared many interests, especially spending time with friends and family. They loved traveling to their condo in Colorado and visiting Branson, Mo. Late winter trips were often spent visiting Judy's brother and sister in California, with stops in Arizona to see relatives and friends. Together, they traveled to all 50 states, many of them multiple times.They cruised to Alaska, flew to the Arctic Circle, and once drove to Alaska via Canada and the Yukon on the Alcan Highway. They also vacationed in Hawaii, the Bahamas, Germany, Italy, and Austria.Surviving is her grade-school sweetheart and loving husband of 55 years, Ben. She is also survived by her brothers, Dennis Dunbar of Muscatine; Lyle (Ann) Dunbar of San Diego, Calif.; and John (Angie) Dunbar of Fairfield. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Melissa Olson of Urbandale, and Karen Bower of Mount Pleasant, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.Preceding her in death were her parents, Dale and Maurine (Sheets) Dunbar; a sister, Linda Appleby; a brother-in-law, Tim Bower; and a sister-in-law, Betty Dunbar.Judy deeply appreciated the compassionate care she received from the entire staff and "Poppy" while at Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield; their kindness and support meant a great deal to Judy and her family.Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Olson-Yoder Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, where the family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Court Fischer officiating. Burial will be in the Glasgow Cemetery.A memorial fund has been established for the Glasgow Cemetery and First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant.The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home is caring for Judy and her family. Condolences may be shared at www.olsonyoderfh.com.