Cleo Marie Fowler's Obituary
Cleo M. Fowler passed away peacefully in her sleep with her loved ones at her bedside December 10, 2004. She died of complications associated with childhood polio. Cleo lived courageously, enduring restrictive lung disease and muscle deterioration until her strength and will finally gave in to the disease.Cleo was born in Tacoma, WA, August 8, 1941 to George Ivan Cash and Marie Agnes (Gerken) Cash. She grew up there and graduated from Lincoln High School, Tacoma in 1959. Cleo married Gerald A. Fowler in Tacoma on September 22, 1962. That same year she went with her husband to Los Angeles, CA. In 1964 Cleo and Jerry moved to Corvallis, OR where he took a faculty position at Oregon State University. Their two children, Michael Allan and Tracey Anne were born in Corvallis. While living there, Cleo worked at the Naval ROTC Unit at OSU. The family moved in 1972 to Racine, WI when Jerry joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin. She was a devoted wife and mother. After retirement, Cleo and Jerry moved in August 2003 to Salem, OR.She was a happy, beautiful, and creative person who remained to the end more concerned for the well being of others than for herself even though enduring the physical and emotional effects of polio. Cleo was a blessing in the lives of everyone who knew her. She gives us the strength to live our lives to the fullest in ways that would make her happy and proud.Cleo is survived by her husband; her mother Marie (Cash) Willhite of Tacoma; her son Michael of Salem; her daughter Tracey of Foster City, CA; her sister Renee Dahl of Petersberg, AK; two grandsons, Matthew and Kyle Fowler; and many loving relatives and friends.She will be laid to rest in Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, WA. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on February 19, 2005 in the Mountain View Garden Chapel, Lakewood, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the memory of Cleo M. Fowler, Post-Polio Health International, 4207 Lindell Boulevard, Saint Louis, Missouri 63108.
What’s your fondest memory of Cleo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cleo?
Share a story where Cleo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cleo you’ll never forget.
How did Cleo make you smile?