Doloris N. "Dee" McGowan, 88, of Grand Island, NE died comfortably with family by her side on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at The Heritage at Sagewood in Grand Island. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, January 6, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church. The Rev. Donald A. Buhrman will be the celebrant. The interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Leo's Catholic Church or the Jack and Dee McGowan Scholarship Fund at GICC Foundation. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Dee's obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Dee was born on February 15, 1934, in Litchfield Nebraska to Arthur J. and Pauline (Guzinski) Kowalewski. She had three older brothers; Leonard "Kelly", Harry, Paul, and an older sister, Dorothy (Fila).
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers and sister, her great-grandchild Rowan Rabe, and her husband John J. "Jack" McGowan whom she married on Sept 8, 1956, at St Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. She is survived by her three daughters; Shaunna (Dan) Sjomeling of Johnson's Lake, Jackie (Mitch) Berke of Elwood, and Deidre (Mike) Henton of Papillion; three sons, Tom (Brenda Otte) of Hood River, Oregon, Dave (Ann Houser) of Durango Colorado, JJ (Allison Teich) of Manchester, Vermont; twenty grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
After graduating from Loup City High School in 1951 she was accepted into the Grand Island's St Francis School of Nursing in 1952, graduating in 1955 and continuing her nursing program at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha NE.
Her nursing career included work in Grand Island at St Francis Hospital, and the Nebraska Veterans Home, and was one of the first nurses to take part in administering Hospice Care. She continued her education achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kearney State College in 1981.
She was a devout Catholic and found great purpose in participating in parish activities including being a Eucharistic Minister. She was also engaged in volunteer work. She was involved with the Salvation Army, working at the Stuhr Museum, and serving in hospital ministry and the hospital gift shop.
She thoroughly enjoyed antiquing, traveling, working in her prayer garden, and baking. She could cook up a hearty meal for family and friends with hardly any notice, with whatever was on hand. She made an absolutely delicious pheasant gravy.
She will long be remembered for her twinkling blue eyes, beautiful smile, and strong faith.
Visitation
Curran Funeral Chapel
Thursday, January 5, 2023
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
3005 South Locust Street
Grand Island, Nebraska 68801
Vigil service at 6:00 p.m.
Cards may be directed to:
Jackie Berke
74726 Hwy 283
Elwood, NE 68937
Vigil Service
Curran Funeral Chapel
Thursday, January 5, 2023
6:00 PM
3005 South Locust Street
Grand Island, Nebraska 68801
Cards may be directed to:
Jackie Berke
74726 Hwy 283
Elwood, NE 68937
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Leo's Catholic Church
Friday, January 6, 2023
10:30 PM
2410 South Blaine
Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
Cards may be directed to:
Jackie Berke
74726 Hwy 283
Elwood, NE 68937
