Cecil Lee Bowser, 89, of Mayetta, KS, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019 at Medicalodge Jackson County with family by his side. He was born July 31, 1929 in Mayetta, KS, the son of Cecil F. and Effie (Johnson) Bowser.

Cecil Lee graduated from Holton High School in 1947. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a lifelong Jackson County farmer and stockman.

He was a member of the Potawatomi United Methodist Church, Banner Grange and life member of Holton V.F.W. Post 1367 and American Legion Post 44. Cecil Lee was a board member for South Holton Grade School, Jackson Farmers Inc., Potawatomi United Methodist Church, Banner Grange and the Jackson County Conservation District Board.

Cecil Lee married Betty J. Knouft on January 2, 1954 in Lawrence, KS. They celebrated over 65 years of marriage.  Survivors include his wife, Betty Bowser of the home; 2 sons, Mike Bowser (Grace) of Mayetta, KS and Steve Bowser (Cecelia) of Holton, KS; a daughter, Elizabeth Holaday (Darin) of Holton, KS; 9 grandchildren, Nicholas Bowser (Jessica), Erika Poppelreiter (Bryan), Jarrod Bowser (Sarah), Marc Bowser (Alisha), Zachary Bowser (Lauren), Anne Bowser, Garrett Holaday, Ethan Holaday (April) and Sarah Holaday and 8 great-grandchildren with “one on the way”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters, Doris Kitrell, Maurine Calderwood and Alberta Townsend and 2 brothers, John F. and Lyman W. Bowser.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening. Memorials may be given to the Holton Community Hospital Hospice or Medicalodge Jackson County Activity Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.