MATILDA S. BOWEN, age 91, of Luverne, died Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at the Sioux Valley Luverne Hospice Cottage. She was born July 1, 1914, in rural Ellsworth, to Henry and Tillie (VanEssen) Smook. She attended Ellsworth Public School through eighth grade. Matilda married Clinton K. Bowen on January 4, 1935, at Flandreau, SD. After their marriage, the couple lived in rural Magnolia raising a family of six children. Matilda was very busy raising her family and actively involved in her children?s lives with school, PTA, 4-H and church. She was an active member of the Magnolia United Methodist Church; and the Luverne Senior Citizens. Throughout her adult life, she held various offices in the Royal Neighbors of America. Matilda hung wallpaper, cleaned houses, as well as being an avid gardener and an excellent seamstress. In 1962, she started a second career as a caterer for The Blue Mound Inn that lasted for over twenty years. In 1997, she left the farm and moved to Luverne. Matilda enjoyed her new friends and activities in which she became involved, particularly playing cards and bingo. Matilda was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed participating in all the family activities and took great pride in all her family?s accomplishments. She was a very special person who will be missed for her humor & smile. Matilda is survived by her five children and their spouses, Kenneth & Ardyth Bowen, Edgerton; Sandra Jederberg, Sheldon, IA; Judy & Bob Berkhof, Mitchell, SD; Joyce Hawes, Sibley, IA; and Dianna & Larry Brandenburg, Lake Crystal; twelve grandchildren; twenty great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; sisters, Edna Tripp, Marshfield, WI; and Genevieve McClure, Luverne. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clinton, in 1996; son, Bryce, in 1951; four brothers, Henry, Harm, Herman & Harold Smook; two sisters, Henrietta Ferguson and Anna Hagemann; and two sons-in-law, Henry VanderStreek Jr. & Milt Hawes. Blessed Be Her Memory.