R. EDWARD COWAN
Ralph Edward Cowan, one of four children of Ralph and Lena (Bond) Cowan, was born November 21, 1946, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Ed, as he was known, resided in many different towns and attended various schools growing up. He then attended school at Auburn and graduated from Auburn High School in 1965.
After high school, Ed joined the United States Navy. He served in the Vietnam War and was deployed to Phu Bai with the U.S. Naval SeaBee Mobile Construction Battalion 62. Ed was honorably discharged on April 3, 1969, as Petty Officer 3rd class.
On December 23, 1970, Ed was united in marriage to Sue Ann Moore at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn. Three days after their marriage, Ed and Sue moved to Denton, Texas. They also resided in Guymon, Oklahoma and Dothan, Alabama before returning to Auburn in 1972. In 1976, Ed and Sue were blessed with a son, Joshua Moore Cowan.
Ed worked for the Missouri Beef Packing Plant when he and Sue first moved back to Auburn, while working here Ed was taught to service the water softeners at the plant. Ed’s knowledge of water softeners started a side-business for him installing and servicing water softeners for 45+ years. Ed also worked for Tri-Co Builders under his mentor Eimer Schlange before working for the City of Auburn. Ed worked for more than 20 years for the City of Auburn Street Department.
Ed was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, in 1974, he and Sue transferred their membership to St. Paul Lutheran in Auburn. Ed was a member of the VFW Club in Auburn, where he served as chaplain. Ed enjoyed gardening, spending time with family, and watching his granddaughters grow up through the years. Ed was one to always offer help to others, whether it was helping out in the community, neighbors, or his family, Ed always put the needs of others first.
After a decline in health, Ed moved to Tabitha at Williamsburg-Seagren House in Lincoln. Ed’s family is very grateful for the exceptional care he received from the entire staff. It was there, on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, that he passed away having reached the age of 74 years, 10 months, and 8 days. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Lena, parents-in-law R.C. and Mildred Moore, wife Sue, and sister-in-law Carole Sue Moore.
Those left to celebrate his life include his son and daughter-in-law Joshua and Melissa of Lincoln; granddaughters Ella and Erica Cowan; sisters and brothers-in-law Lorene and Larry Strahm of Sabetha, Kansas, Kay and Mike Durham of Shawnee, Kansas; brother and sister-in-law Marvin and Janet Cowan of Springfield, Oregon; sister- and brother-in-law Jeanne and Bill Casey of Olathe, Kansas; other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Janell Johnson accompanied Richard Shelton as he sang two solos. Casket bearers were Scott Casey, Jim Casey, Lyle Strahm, Bryan Durham, Scott Durham, and Matt Thom. Honorary bearers were Ella Cowan, Erica Cowan, Eimer Schlange, Jim Hall, Richard Shelton, and Larry Holtzman. Burial was in Walnut Grove Cemetery at Brownville. Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.