Madonna Celesta Bowden

Madonna was born on November 12, 1935, in Kieler, Wisconsin, the daughter of Arthur and Emeline (Kieler) Schroeder. She married Truman Arthur Bowden on August 15, 1953, also in Kieler. They were married for fifty-six years, and their love gave them seven children. Survivors include her husband, Truman, of Cuba City; three daughters, Sandra (Bob) Brownell and Linda (Jim) Jegerlehner, both of Dubuque, and Peggy (Gregg) Kelly, of Cuba City; four sons, Arthur T. Bowden, of Cuba City, Robert J. (Belinda) Bowden, of Lakewood, Washington, James J. (Melody) Bowden, of Dubuque, and William D. (Kelly) Bowden, of Baraboo, Wisconsin; four sisters, Betty Rose Dent, of Cuba City, Rita Jane (Jack) Tracy and Linda Lou Kieffer, both of Kieler, and Audrey (Aaron) Digman, of Monroe, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law, Tokiko Schroeder, of Cuba City; and sixteen grandchildren, Travis Brownell, Matt and Ann Jegerlehner, Blaire and Chase Bowden, Kerry, Patrick, and Katie Kelly, Melissa, James, Jennifer, Sarah, Andrew, and Julie Bowden, and Sierra and Isabella Bowden; and her godmother, Celesta Busch. Madonna graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy for Girls in Dubuque, Iowa. She worked as a CNA at the Cuba City Nursing Home for twenty-nine years, where she shared her tender love and made many good friends. She devoted her life to caring for others, and embraced life, especially enjoying her trips up north and get-togethers with family and friends. Madonna’s greatest joy came from loving her grandchildren, who fondly called her “Butzie.” She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Emeline (Kieler) Schroeder; a sister, Dorothy Mae Wedig; a brother, Dennis Schroeder; and two brothers-in-law, Keith Wedig and Tom “Jim” Dent. The family would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their tender and compassionate care.