Mary M. Fowler

Mary M. Fowler, 91, passed away on February 13, 2017 at her La Junta home after a diagnosis of acute leukemia. She was born on April 16, 1925 in La Junta to Clair & Iliff (Simonton) Pringle. She had two brothers, one of whom died in infancy. She attended La Junta schools and graduated from La Junta High School. After high school, she attended the University of Colorado at Boulder to major in home economics.

On June 8, 1946, she married Marion Linwood Fowler in Raton, NM and they made their home in La Junta since that time. To this union, three sons were born. She was a talented seamstress and worked for Kingrey’s lady’s clothing store where she was both a sales clerk and helped with the sales and fitting of wedding gowns. After that she worked in the fabric section of Woolworth’s. She then went to work for Otero Junior College as the PBX operator.

In 1973, along with her husband and sons they purchased La Junta Printing Co. and she worked in the business up until a few weeks before her death. She had assumed more responsibility, along with son Rick, in running the business after the death of her husband in 2015.

During her life, she was involved in various community organizations. One of her favorite organizations was PEO Chapter W for more than 50 years. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, was very active when the sons were young, and was a Sunday school teacher and youth group helper. When the boys were in grade school she was very active in PTO and helped with fund raising all activities to support all the school children. When the new South School opened she also helped the PTO organization with different musical programs. As boys got older she made sure they learned music and supported them in band and chorus, and in learning to play musical instruments.

When the boys moved into Boy Scouts and Koshares, she continued to support them (and ML) being part of the mothers club making sure there was always enough food to feed growing teenage boys.

As grandchildren came along she was excited for birthdays and holidays, and would always help baby sit when she needed.

She loved her family and they would brighten her eyes. As her health failed the last few years, she missed being able to get out and participate in family activities.

She is survived by sons, Robert (Diane) Fowler of La Junta and Richard Fowler of Cheraw; grandchildren, Stephany (Luke Holland) Wilson of Cheraw; Kristi (Jake) Mayo of La Junta; Heidi (Dan) Gearhart of La Junta; Josh Fowler of La Junta; Nathan (Meggie) Fowler of Ft. Collins; Megan Fowler of Hesston, KS; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, M.L. Fowler on July 16, 2015; son, William L. Fowler in 1975.

Memorial service will be held on Monday, February 20, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Reverend Marty Lee of the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Ford officiating.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Koshare Indian Museum, PO Box 580, La Junta, CO 81050 or to the United Methodist Church, 601 San Juan Ave., La Junta direct or through the funeral home.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home and Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.