Miriam E. Bower

      INDIANOLA, IA- Miriam Bower, age 95, died July 16, 2025.

      Born November 24th, 1929 in Coshocton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Hazel (Gamertsfelder) Bower.

      She graduated as valedictorian of her class of 28 at Warsaw High School, and worked as secretary to the President of Edmont Glove Company in Coshocton, Ohio prior to attending college.

      She graduated as valedictorian of her class of 400 at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and then moved to New York City in order to attend Columbia University and continue her study of English Literature.

      In 1950 she joined the Congress of Racial Equality, a pacifist civil rights organization, and was arrested for disorderly conduct as part of a demonstration in Washington, D.C. Her dream of progress toward racial equality was realized years later as she lived to see the United States elect its first black president.

      On March 28, 1959 she married Jack Jenkins – a union that would last 27 years and produce three children. Her teaching career took her to Euclid, Ohio, Elmira, New York, and Warrenton Virginia. She served as Registrar for Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for 15 years.

      Retirement allowed time for extensive travel, gardening, and return to writing. She published a book of poetry entitled Filling the Silences, and wrote a biographical memoir entitled In My Own Time.

      Ms. Bower is survived by her former spouse, Jack Jenkins of Des Moines, Iowa; a son, Steve Jenkins and wife Sandy of Deer Island, Oregon; two daughters, Laura Hardy and husband Mark of Bartlett, Illinois and Amy Davison and husband Brian of Dublin, Ohio; 6 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

      She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Hazel Bower, and two brothers, Lyle and Gerald Bower.

      A Funeral service was held Saturday, July 26th at Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Avenue Indianola, Iowa. Interment will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27th in Valley View Cemetery, Warsaw. Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw is assisting with local arrangements. 

      Memorial contributions in honor of Miriam may be made to Suncrest Hospice, 5959 Village View Drive, Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266. (515-327-6026)