Carrol Viola Cowman

Carrol V. Cowman, 85, passed away on June 19, 2018 at her home in Nampa.  Her loving and generous spirit will be celebrated at a memorial service at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Alsip and Persons Funeral Home, 404 10^th Avenue South, Nampa, Idaho 83651. A lunch will follow.

Carrol Viola Fiedler Cowman was born December 11, 1932 at the family home in Bowmont, Idaho.  She was the second of three daughters born to Charles Martin Fiedler and Edna Marie Kenney Fiedler.  She grew up on the family farm at Bowmont and their ranch in Stanley, Idaho. She attended the two-room Bowmont grade school, Central Jr. High in Nampa, and graduated at age 16 from Nampa High School (class of 1949). She attended the College of Idaho.  While still in Jr. High, she worked after school at First Security Bank in Nampa, and after graduating high school, she continued her work at First Security Bank as a secretary.  Later she worked for Intermountain Equipment Company in Boise.  Following her marriage, she worked as an adjuster for the Credit Bureau in Nampa and then as bookkeeper for Fifer’s Furniture.  She also worked part time for a Nampa accountant. Her greatest gift was making a home for her family.

She met her future husband, Carol W. Cowman of Pleasantville, IA, when he was visiting friends in Bowmont after his high school graduation. Carol served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. St. Paul from 1948 to1952; the couple married on Dec. 14, 1952 at the Bowmont Church of the Brethren. They made their home in Nampa, where they raised seven children. Carrol was very family oriented and in 1984, the family was selected as Nampa’s “Family of the Year.”  As a family, we appreciated her unconditional love and enduring devotion. We cherish our wonderful memories.

She was a member of First United Presbyterian Church, and served her church in many ways over the years. She valued education, and enjoyed reading and learning.  To share her love of learning, she provided many volunteer hours to the Nampa schools, including being a “gray lady,” classroom aide, committee member for fundraisers, and working with children to develop their reading skills. She had a gift for getting the best out of others; her value of knowledge, tireless pursuit, and active support helped ensure successful outcomes for those around her.

Carrol was especially well known for her volunteer work with the Boy Scouts of America in the Centennial District and Ore-Ida Council. Carrol and Carol worked together to instill the formative values of scouting in boys from the local area. They were especially proud that all four sons became Eagle Scouts. BSA recognized her contributions with awards over the years; for example, she received the council’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver award, in 1984. Her scouting service was interrupted from 1990-2002, while she cared for her son, Russell, who died from progressive multiple sclerosis in 2001, and her husband’s final illness and death in 2002.  In September 2002, she resumed her volunteer work with scouting. In 2004, she was selected the Big Foot District Commissioner of the year. In 2008 Ore-Ida Council of Boy Scouts of America honored her with the “Hall of Fame” award. She also was a recipient of Governor Otter’s Brightest Stars award for volunteer service (2011). More than receiving awards, it gave her great pleasure to be on nominating committees to ensure that other’s valuable contributions were recognized and celebrated.

She liked fishing, flower gardening, music, dancing, antique collecting, and time spent with family. She loved the Sawtooth Mountains and cherished her memories of horseback riding on the ranch, swimming at Redfish Lake, and the Saturday night dances in Stanley. 

Her life is celebrated by her surviving children:  Cindy S. Bergeman (Dean), of Granger, IN, and their children, Hannah of Westminster, CO  and Brianne (Jeff) Smith of Loveland, CO and their daughters Zoe and Caia; Timothy P. Cowman (Kristy) of West Richland, WA, and their daughters, Caitlin and Kelsey;  Francie C. Aguilar (Buster) of Nampa, and their daughters, Alexa of Boston, MA and Makenna; Casey S. Cowman (Lisa) of Nampa, and their children, Blake and Kate; and Erin R. Talsma (Brent) of Albany, OR and their sons, Ethan and Andrew; daughter-in-law, Kathryn Cowman (wife of son, Dan) of Houston, TX and children Erika (Dan) Nealy of Maple Valley, WA, and their daughter Iris, and Sarah and Leo. She is also survived by a sister in Nampa, Connie A. Neider (Jay) and the Neider children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Carrol was preceded in death by her husband, Carol, son, Russell, son, Dan, daughter Merry Roseanne, a sister, Ethel and grandson, Erik.

Carrol was very grateful to the wonderful caregivers and doctors who made her life’s journey easier, especially Dr. Michael Dee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carrol’s name should be directed to the “Scouting Fund of First United Presbyterian Church 400 Lake Lowell Ave. Nampa, Ore-Ida Council of Boy Scouts of America” at 8901 W. Franklin Rd. Boise, ID 83709, or to a charity of your choice.

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