Lime Ridge/Sun Prairie

Rev. Lorin Michael “Larry” Bowens, age 68, of Lime Ridge passed away unexpectedly following a brief illness on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. He was born August 31, 1947 in Antigo, the son of Lloyd and DeLores (Krubsack) Bowens.

After completing elementary education at St. Hyacinth Parish School, Antigo, St. Henry Parish School, Watertown, and Sacred Heart Parish School, Sun Prairie, Father Bowens attended Queen of Apostles High School Seminary in Madison. He then attended Holy Name Seminary and Edgewood College and completed his philosophical studies. Fr. Bowens also attended UW-Madison and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He subsequently received a Bachelor of Divinity (theology) degree from St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin. He was ordained a priest by Most Reverend Cletus F. O’Donnell, Bishop of Madison, on May 24, 1974 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison.

Fr. Bowens served the Diocese of Madison as a Parochial Vicar at St. Luke Parish, Plain, St. Dennis Parish, Madison, and St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson. He served as Pastor at St. Boniface Parish, Lime Ridge, Holy Family Parish, La Valle, and St. Patrick Parish, Loreto for over 30 years. He served the diocese as Priest Co-Moderator of the Madison Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Larry was a wonderful, devoted Pastor who cared deeply about the lives of his parishioners, was much loved in return, and will be deeply missed.

He will be remembered for his wide ranging curiosity and love of books. He was very well read, with a broad reaching, extensive knowledge of history, religion, architecture, design and horticulture. He loved food, was a great cook who took great pleasure in cooking for and feeding friends and family. He owned an extensive collection of cook books. He could be found in the early morning at the farmer’s market, selecting produce and catching up with the vendors; he knew them all! He was also known for his love of gardening and vast knowledge of plants, including their Latin names, what grew in which soil, and what bloomed in each season. He put his knowledge to practice by creating landscapes that provided year round beauty.

Larry was a devoted brother and uncle to Lu Anne Bowens of McFarland; niece, Rachel Bowens-Rubin of Boston, MA and nephew, Josh Bowens-Rubin of Vail, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and DeLores Bowens; and a brother-in-law, Jon Rubin.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 310 Bluff St., La Valle, on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Father Michael A. Resop, Pastor, St. Luke Parish, Plain, and St. John the Evangelist Parish, Spring Green, will be the celebrant, with Reverend Father Raymond J. Dischler as homilist. A Visitation at Holy Family Catholic Church will be held on Tuesday morning, January 5, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the Holy Mass. A funeral luncheon will follow the Mass and take place at Holy Family Catholic Church in La Valle. A private burial will take place at Our Lady of the Fields Chapel Cemetery.

For those who are unable to attend on Tuesday, the church will observe a Prayer Service on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 7 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church.

Larry frequently enjoyed walking outside in Olbrich Gardens during warm weather; warming up on cold winter days at the Olbrich greenhouse orchid loft and was often mistaken for staff because he talked so easily and knowledgably to fellow visitors. Memorials to Olbrich Gardens may be directed to Olbrich Botanical Society, Inc. in memory of Fr. Larry. (Contact: Ashlyn Mehlhaff (608) 246-4716 or amehlhaff@cityofmadison.com).

Lorin Bowens

August 31, 1947 - December 30, 2015

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