Alice Charlene Bowans, 91, a longtime Graham County resident, passed away Nov. 29, 2023, at Credo Senior Living in Hoisington. She was delivered at home by Doc Pete, in rural Graham County, Kansas, on July 3, 1932, to Ella (Veverka) and Charles William Smith Sr. Their family included five other children: Edith (Austin Dillon), William George, Arlene (Bill Bright and Elmer Leikam), Veda (Abe Miller) and Charles Jr. (Shirley).
Alice attended school and graduated from Palco High School in 1951. After high school she attended the Colorado School of Floral Design, receiving a diploma on Oct. 16, 1953. Later Alice completed a specialized course of study, “Management for the Ladies of Funeral Service," issued by the National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management on March 2, 1956. Using her floral design training, Alice began a job at Flowers by Frances in Hays where she became an exceptional florist. She especially enjoyed working with Ruby.
On Dec. 8, 1984, Alice married the love of her life, Ed Bowans. Her entire life she was a caretaker, starting with her parents and then her siblings. She had no children but was extremely busy helping take care of her many nieces and nephews through the years. Alice was always on the go, visiting friends and family. After her husband Ed passed away, she began a job with Development Services of Northwest Kansas. She fell in love with Marge.
Everyone who knew her called Alice “The Cat Woman." She loved animals and would have saved them all if she could. She even fed the wildlife. Some hobbies she enjoyed included sewing, gardening, floral design and canning. Although Alice led a fulfilling life, in the last few years her health failed. However, she still enjoyed visiting and eating her favorite foods.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents Ella and Charles; her husband Ed; and her five brothers and sisters: Edith, William George, Arlene, Veda, and Charles, Jr. Survivors left to cherish her life and greatly miss her sharing stories and memories of their ancestors include her many nieces and nephews.