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La JOLLA, Calif. – Elsie Sandra Bower, 89, a longtime Rock Falls resident, passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving family and friends on Monday, April 18, 2011.
She was preceded in death by her dear husband, William Joseph Bower, who passed away in 2002.
Born July 29, 1921, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Elsie was a registered nurse who served in the Canadian Army as a lieutenant.
After her military service, she traveled to Chicago, where she met and married William in 1951. She practiced her nursing career for more than 50 years, primarily donating her services to worthy causes in support of the homeless and elderly. She resided with her husband in Rock Falls and Naples, Fla., before moving to La Jolla, Calif.
Beauty, intelligence, strength, and a generous spirit all describe Elsie’s qualities. Her passions in life were volunteering, helping others, and most importantly, the love of her family and particularly her three grandchildren, whose elaborate Easter baskets she had just finished preparing before her unexpected passing.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Bill; loving brother, Louis Sopko; and her sisters, Ann Naleway, Lee Jasper, and Jean Boys.
She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Karen of Chicago; her son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Dawn; her three grandchildren, Christian, Jacob, and Ciara of Coronado, Calif.; and her best friend forever, Mrs. Lola Williamson of Rock Falls.
Elsie’s remains will be reunited with her beloved husband Bill, when they are interred together at Fort Rosecrans National Military Cemetery at Point Loma, San Diego.