Jean S. Bowgren

Jean (Olesen) Bowgren, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, after a long and courageous battle, at Valley Hi Nursing Home in Woodstock, Illinois. 

She was born November 7, 1947, in Elgin, Illinois, to William and Frieda Olesen. She is survived by her son Bradley (Sherri) Hampel, grandsons, Zack (Tyler Newquist) and Max Hampel, sisters Karen Leonard, Connie (Dr. Gregorio) Orbeta, niece Kelly (Phil) Foree, nephew Boyd Muirhead, great-nieces Skye, Rylie, Finley, great-nephews Ares, James, Glenn and a family of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee W. Bowgren, her parents, William and Frieda 'Fritzie' (Ermisch) Olesen, and brother-in-law, Robert E. Leonard.

Jean and Lee Bowgren were classmates and childhood friends, and were married on December 18, 1998 in Nevada. She was a nurse and Lee a computer programmer.

Jean grew up in Lily Lake on a farm, graduated from Burlington Central High School and graduated as a Registered Nurse from Elgin Community College. Jean’s nursing career included Good Shepard of Barrington Hospital and later, a home health care nurse in the Harvard area. She proudly served as a Captain, in the Army Nurse Corps, of the United States Army Reserve and was honorably discharged in 2002. Jean was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvard, where she played in the Joyful Noise Handbell Choir and was a member of the Hannah Circle. She was also an accomplished musician, played the piano, organ, flute, piccolo and harmonica. She enjoyed playing bingo, creating crafts and was a talented seamstress and quilter.

 A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 12:00 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Harvard IL, officiated by Pastor Scott Stolberg.  Interment will be held at a later date at the Lily Lake Cemetery, Lily Lake, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 E Diggins St, Harvard, IL 60033 or Journey Care Hospice Foundation, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010.

We invite family and friends to sign the online guest book at:  www.saundersmcfarlin.net(http://www.saundersmcfarlin.net/

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.