Lisa Bowen

Lisa Edwards Bowen was born June 7, 1962, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She died August 30, 2018, in State College, Pennsylvania.

Two things were of primary importance in Lisa’s life. The first and most important was her son, Austin Richard Bowen. Austin was adopted from the Philippines by Lisa and her husband, Kevin, when Austin was nine months old. Lisa was a fighter for getting Austin classes and benefits that he needed. He played the cymbals in the State High marching band and the Penn State Pep band. Lisa was an ARC board member and was always very involved with activities that were available for Austin.

Secondly, Lisa loved to perform. She began violin lessons when she was five years old on a ¼ sized violin. She played in Billings’ school orchestras until she graduated. In addition to participating in orchestra, she was the Drum Majorette for her junior and senior years. Her music background gave her the training to lead the band and keep them “on the beat.” She was given a scholarship to AFS and spent the summer before graduating with a family in Turkey at their beach house on the Mediterranean coast.

When Lisa was a senior, she participated in the BHS Follies. She sang a duet with a friend and wowed everyone with her voice. Lisa obtained a violin scholarship from the University of Wyoming. The same thing happened when she was in a class there and she had to sing. Her performance medium was quickly changed to voice. Lisa finished her college years at the University of Idaho where she performed with the college orchestra at the Lionel Hampton School of Music. She also gave a senior voice recital. She was President of the Honors Music Fraternity at the University.

Following her graduation, Lisa and Kevin moved to Beaverton, Oregon. When living on the West coast, Lisa did a lot of dinner theater and stage productions.

The next move for Lisa was to Chicago. She sang with a small opera company. After adopting Austin the family moved to Libertyville, IL. Lisa joined the band, Country Storm, and began her country music career. She played the violin and sang.

State College, PA, was the next move. After getting Austin settled, Lisa worked in real estate and began looking for an opportunity in a band. Paul and Sam Confer were looking for a fiddle player and vocalist and so the match was made. Their group, Phase Two, entertained throughout the State College area. They often attended the annual Steel Guitar convention.

Lisa was involved with the Lutheran church wherever she lived. She lived a life that reflected her faith. She was always helpful and generous for her activities and Austin’s.

In addition to her son, Austin, Lisa is survived by her mother, Jo Ann Edwards of State College, PA, her father, James Edwards and his family of Absorkee, MT, her brother, Kevin James Edwards of Golden, CO, his wife Linda, and daughters Taylor and Kristin, her sister, Deni Lynn Mensing of Seattle, WA, her husband Jeff Mensing, and sons, Carter Mensing and Thomas Mensing. Her former husband, Kevin Bowen, also survives along with his mother Joan, siblings Deborah Bowen, Cynthia Bowen, Cheryl Kremer, Randall Bowen, and Marilyn Miller, spouses, nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Lois Confer and Jenny Yost-Lee for their extra-ordinary kindness and compassion.

Lisa's memorial service will be on Saturday, 9/8, 5:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2221 North Oak Lane, State College, PA 16803.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The ARC of Center County, PA Inc., 1840 N. Atherton Street, State College, PA, 16803. Donations can be made online at taocc.org.