Pauline Stowman

Mary Pauline Stowman, 90, a resident of Rothsay, died Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls. She was born December 18, 1920, in a sod house in Perkins County near Sorum, South Dakota, the daughter of homesteaders Christian M. and Ida (Lowe) Sorum. She was raised on the farm, riding horseback to grade school. She attended Sorum High School for three years and graduated from Bison High School in 1938. She then attended Moorhead State Teacher’s College, receiving her teaching certificate in 1940. She taught elementary school in Richland County, North Dakota, for two years. On June 18, 1941, she married Omer Stowman at Abercrombie, North Dakota. After their marriage they lived near Dent for one year. Omer joined the Army Air Corp in 1942, and Pauline traveled with him whenever possible. In 1946 they purchased the Rothsay Telephone Company and moved to Rothsay. Pauline was the accountant, secretary and treasurer for the phone company until her retirement in 1988. She was a member of the Rothsay Baptist Church and the Gideons Auxiliary. Pauline enjoyed reading in her spare time. A main focus throughout her life was caring for their special needs daughter, Dorothy. Involvement in all the family and church activities was always a priority for Pauline. Preceding her in death were her husband, Omer Stowman, in 1995, an infant daughter, Mary Ellen Stowman, her parents, Christian and Ida Sorum, a brother, Merle Sorum, and a sister-in-law, Doris Sorum. Survivors include her five children: David and Judy Stowman of Detroit Lakes, Wayne and Gerri Stowman of Fergus Falls, Paul and Mary Stowman of Rothsay, Dawn and Dwight Lysne of Wilmington, NC, and Dorothy Stowman of Rothsay; 20 grandchildren: Jeff (Shelly) Stowman, Mike (Jennifer) Stowman, Matthew (Susan) Stowman, Anne Stowman, Dan (Tina) Stowman, Leanna (Kevin) Dau, Angela Stowman, Xandra Stowman, Karena Stowman, Shawna Stowman, Nathan Stowman, Maren Stowman, Hannah Stowman, Elsa Stowman, Peder Lysne, Kjerstin Lysne, Mikkel Lysne, Solveig Lysne, Bernt Lysne, and Haaken Lysne; five great-grandchildren: Sallee, William, Nicholas, Annabelle, and Caleb Stowman; a brother, Dean (Carol) Sorum of Moorhead; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Sunday at the church with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2011, at Rothsay Baptist Church in Rothsay Clergy: Reverend Leon Andersen Interment: Rothsay Baptist Cemetery, rural Rothsay, Minnesota Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.