Belva Carol Gowen

BURLEY - Belva Carol Gowen, 79, of Burley, passed away peacefully at 10:58 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at Parke View Rehabilitation and Care Center in Burley, with her two sons, Calvin and Clifford by her side.

She was born July 30, 1936, in Boise, Idaho, to Albert Kellogg and Lucille Parker. When she was about ten-years-old, she was adopted by Mildred and Austin Stevenson from the Oakley-Basin, Idaho area, where she grew up on her parents’ farm. She graduated from Oakley High School in in 1956. Following high school, she attended secretary college in Twin Falls, for a short period.

Belva met Walter Gowen and they were married in February of 1957, in Oakley, Idaho. They were happily married for 17 years and had three amazing children, Calvin, Clyde and Clifford. Belva was a member of the LDS Church and enjoyed many of the activities the church offered. Her hobbies and interests included helping people when she could, or, when she found the time. Baking was one of her favorite things to do - especially when she baked for others. She also loved to work on her father and mother’s farm with her husband and three children. She had a very great and loving life after her divorce in the late 70s. She moved to the Syringa Plaza apartments in 2005, and lived there for the rest of her life and loved every moment of it with all her friends.

In 2000, she started college at the College of Southern Idaho, and in 2008, she received a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in women’s issues. Afterwards, she joined the office on aging and helped with the grandparents’ program at Mountain View Elementary School and other schools in Cassia County. She loved everyone at the schools and enjoyed every minute with the students and teachers.

Belva is survived by her sister, Marla Watson of Boise; sons, Calvin Gowen of Oakley, Clyde Gowen of Hermiston Ore., and Clifford Gowen of Burley; her grandchildren, Jeremy and his wife, Stacey Gowen, Jennifer, Jessica, Journey and his wife, Dani Gowen, Sheena and her husband, Travis Smith, Nick, Felicia and her husband, Javier Ruiz, Amber, Judy, Erin and her husband, Don Garner, and Kyle and Dakoda; her great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Ruiz, Michael Brown, Kazdyn Gowen, Crimson Brown, Dominic Ruiz, Trendyn Gowen, Alena Gowen, Josiah Ruiz, Zaidyn Gowen, Olivia Smith, Aidan Garner, Landan Gowen, Andy Ruiz, Dallas Garner, Aislinn Gowen, and Jack Smith; and her nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Belva was preceded in death by her father, Albert Kellogg; mother, Lucille Parker; sisters, Lois, Linda, and Alma; her adopted parents, Mildred and Austin Stevenson; her aunt and uncle, Lillian and Percy Christensen; and other relatives.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Burley LDS 3rd and 7th Ward Church, 2200 Oakley Ave., in Burley, where a viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in the Basin Cemetery in Oakley.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Belva Gowen C/O Clifford Gowen, P.O. Box 82 Burley, Idaho 83318 or you may donate online at https://www.gofundme.com/mx97wkdg. Condolences may be left on Belva Gowen online guest book at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010684441968&fref=ts.

To our beloved mother and grandmother, Belva, by Clifford Gowen and Erin Gowen Garner

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.