Born and raised in Cole Camp, Missouri and part of the Hunter and Imbusch families of Benton County, June Louise (Hunter) Bowen rejoined her husband, Kenneth Sr., son, Kenneth Jr., and daughter, Rhonda in heaven on Labor Day, September 2, 2024. June was a doting grandma, loving mom, and a wonderful mother-in-law.
June was born to Iva and Oscar (“Cecil”) Hunter on June 18, 1930, in Cole Camp. Her roots in Cole Camp remained strong throughout her life with friends and generous donations to local museums and historical markers. She grew up in the house still standing on the corner at 301 East Main in Cole Camp, recently occupied by Wine Antiques & More. June and Carol Junge (now of New York and major Cole Camp benefactor) were lifelong friends. June was an avid bridge player and crossword lover, but her main joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren.
June graduated from Cole Camp High School in 1948 as a proud Bluebird, and played in the band and various sports. She waited for her love, Ken Bowen to return from the Navy and married at the age of 18 in Oklahoma. June worked for Mastin Insurance, then held a number of administrative positions in the healthcare field while living from Lee's Summit, MO to Overland Park, KS, and raising her children and a host of great dogs. She and Ken retired to Florida for nearly 15 years to enjoy life and entertain her children and grandchildren with golf, Disney trips and NASA launches before returning to Kansas in 2003 to be closer to family.
During her life June was a Red Cross instructor, Den Mother, and Girl Scout leader. She was also involved in the PTA and worked in a well-baby clinic, children were an obvious focus in her life. Grammy June was devoted to her grandchildren, Emily, Alex, and Blair. She created memories and stories never to be forgotten, from teaching them to make cookies and “grandma Iva's famous rolls” to showering them with gifts, love and affection. The love and affection were mutual.
June spent her recent years living at Silvercrest Senior Living in Lenexa, KS, and as a member and generous donor to Church of the Resurrection. She returned to Cole Camp as often as she could. June lived a meaningful and comfortable life in her final years due to her loving and caring daughter Carol who watched over, cared, entertained, and laughed with her constantly... and made sure no hair appointment was ever missed.
June is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Bowen, Sr. (2007), son, Kenneth Bowen, Jr. (2002) and daughter, Rhonda Bowen (2013). She is survived by her daughter, Carol Chartrand, husband, Art of Overland Park, KS and their children Emily Chartrand of Laguna Niguel, CA, and Alex Chartrand of Layton, UT; daughter-in-law, Stacy (Bowen) Drew and her husband, Mike, and her daughter Blair McMullin and husband, Reid of Shawnee, KS.
Services were held and June was interned at Johnson County Memorial Gardens on Friday, September 6, 2024.
Donations in June’s name may be made to The Cole Camp Museum, 108 South Maple Street, Cole Camp, MO 65325 or The Chartrand Charitable Foundation, 11937 W. 119th Street, Suite 212 Overland Park, KS 66213.
