Raymond L. Bowar

Raymond L. Bowar, age 87, of Hastings, passed away at Regina Senior Living on January 20, 2018. He was born on January 13, 1931, in Faulkton, SD to Joseph and Angeline Bowar. After graduation, he attended St. John's University in Collegeville, MN and then enlisted in the Coast Guard for 3 years. After helping his dad on the farm for a year, he went back to college to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD earning a degree in electrical engineering. In December of 1955, he was married to Donna Hilkemeier at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield, SD. After graduation, he worked for Unisys for over 30 years, retiring in 1989. After retirement, Ray and Donna were fortunate to do a lot of traveling and spent many winters in Apache Junction, AZ. Ray and Donna were married for 62 years. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Angeline Bowar; son, David; 8 brothers and sisters including Generva Reuland (Bill), Earl Bowar (Gerry), Gerald Bowar (Peggy), Karl Bowar, Marie Lucille Bowar, Beth Flocchini, Marion Baillargeon (Dick), Miriam Strebel (Elwood) and brothers in law Del Hilkemeier and John Klein. He is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Thomas (Marcia) Bowar, Mary (Charles) Bobertz, Marcia (Mike) Toombs, Janet (Ernie) Krubsack, Cindy (Jim) Mager, Jeff (Sherry) Bowar, and Bernadette Bowar; grandchildren, Joe (Sarah) Bowar, John (Colleen) Bowar, Andy (Emily) Bowar, David (Rachel) Bowar, Stephanie Bowar, Sarah (Adam) Larue, Thomas Bobertz, Matthew (Whitney) Toombs, Phillip Toombs, Max Krubsack, Jeremy Krubsack, Scott Krubsack, Nicole Bowar, Tyler Wicke, JR Mager, Taylore Mager, Austin Castillo, Ryan Castillo, and Mariah Castillo; 7 great-grandchildren, brother Joe Bowar (Corinne), sister Jacque Klein, sisters in law Virginia Hilkemeier and Marlys Esser, brother in law Ron Esser, and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. 15th St., Hastings. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 26, 2018, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Wise Family Funeral Home, 400 Spring St., Hastings and 1 hour prior to Mass on Saturday at church. Interment, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery on Sunday, January 28, at 1:00 pm. Memorials preferred.