Steven Jon Bowman of Riley, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 58 on October 6, 2023 at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas. Tragically, this was the day before his favorite event, the annual family reunion and homebrew contest known as The Bowman Brewfest.
Steve was born in Belleville, Kansas, on September 29, 1965 to Loren and Wanda (Hicks) Bowman. He was the youngest of five children, Steve often said it took 15 years and 5 kids to get the perfect child. Steve graduated from Hillcrest High School in Cuba, KS, in 1984, then attended Kansas State University, and served in the Army and Kansas National Guard.
In the Fall of 1993 he met Nicole (Nikki) Kirkman as they started nursing school. As anyone who knew him can imagine, she immediately noticed his dry wit and they were wed on May 29, 1995 in Clyde, KS. Steve graduated from Cloud County Community College as a Registered Nurse in May 1996.
Steve and Nikki started their family in Port Angeles, WA, in 1997 with the arrivals of Spencer, Sophie and Natalie. Thankfully the children all inherited Steve's sense of humor and gift for drawing.
Upon returning to Kansas in 2006 to be closer to the Bowman clan, Steve worked at Manhattan Surgical Hospital, as well as Ascension Via Christi Hospital and Leonardville Nursing Home.
Steve is survived by his wife Nikki at their farm in Riley, son Spencer of Riley, daughter Sophia and son-in-law Matthew Stites of Rochester, MN, and daughter Natalie of Riley. He is also survived by brother Marc and Paulette Bowman, brother Doug and Liz Bowman, sister Peg and Dan Feldt, sister-in-law Mary Bowman, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and lifelong friends.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and brother Larry Bowman.
Steve's wishes as an organ donor were honored. After cremation he'll be laid to rest with his family at Hollis Cemetery, Hollis. A Celebration of Life is being planned to toast Steve with his last homebrewed Brewfest beer and tell his favorite stories.