Rosalie Bowar

Rosalie Bowar, 98 of Cresbard, passed away Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Avera Mother Joseph’s Manor, Aberdeen. 

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Faulkton, SD with Fr. John Short presiding. Burial will follow in the Cresbard Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services.  

Rosalie M. Cunningham was born September 25, 1926, in Faulkton, South Dakota, to Charles and Laura (Pratt) Cunningham. She grew up in Cresbard, where she graduated from Cresbard High School and began her working life at the FSA office in Faulkton.

On November 16, 1948, Rosalie married Doyle Bowar at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton. Together they made a life on the family farm which they were able to reacquire and where Rosalie embraced the role of a devoted and tireless farm wife. Life brought its share of hardships—losing her father and the family farm during the Great Depression, enduring a house fire in 1969, and suffering the tragic losses of her son Bruce in 1973 and her husband Doyle in 1981, both in car accidents. Yet through it all, Rosalie remained a pillar of strength, resilience, and grace.

After Doyle’s passing, Rosalie served the Cresbard community for many years as a beloved cook at the Cresbard School District. Her kindness extended beyond the kitchen—her homemade treats like popcorn balls, fudge, caramels, and brownies were favorites among family and friends. She loved to play cards, give backrubs, paint, and lead exercise classes for residents at the retirement home in Aberdeen.

Rosalie was a lifelong member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Faulkton and active in the Cresbard American Legion Auxiliary. She was known for her selflessness, quiet wisdom, and gentle spirit. She had a gift for making others feel seen and loved, always offering comforting words and encouraging her children to "take care of your family first."

To her family, she was more than a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—she was “G.G.,” a quiet observer, a steady presence, and a source of unconditional love. Her strength, humility, and unwavering kindness made the world better just by her being in it. She never spoke an unkind word and lived a life of deep integrity and grace.

Rosalie’s legacy of love, resilience, and faith will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Rosalie’s life will be treasured by her children: Susan (Gary) Strasburg, Brookings, Shari (Larry) Braun, Warner, and Pat (Kary) Bowar, Cresbard; ten grandchildren: Natalie Braun, Jessica (James “Buddy”) Johnston, Sam (Samantha) Braun,  Lee (Samantha “Sam”) Bowar, Clayton (Laura) Bowar, Hope (Jake) Groft, Kristy (Jerry) Frasher, Holly (Michael) Reinhardt, Arin Strasburg (Ryan Moringstar) and Ryan (Tara) Strasburg;  24 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Doyle in 1981; son, Bruce in 1973; sister, Leah Cowick; and brothers: Ernie, Robert “Babe”, and Milton Cunningham. 

 Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Rosalie’s arrangements.