Phyllis "Fern" Bowser

Phyllis Fern Opel, was born January 26, 1924, the daughter of Elsie Mae Beitzel and Albert Opel, brother of Simon Opel who became Elsie's husband. Fern had a grade school education and was a homemaker and Sunday School teacher. Fern loved to take care of children and visit the sick and shut-ins. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, and teaching.Fern had a loving relationship with her natural father Bert. When Fern was 9 years old in 1933 her mother suddenly died of peritonitis. Fern continued to live in the Opel home with her half brothers and half sisters and Step-Father. Fern was married on April 8, 1939 to Robert Clayton Bowser a farmer, miner, construction worker. The couple had ten children. in the 1950's they moved to Miracle Valley Arizona where Fern and Bob were working with the Revival Center Church. They were in Arizona when Phyllis Fern Opel Bowser died of cancer on May 2, 1966. Her remains were interred at the Glades Mennonite Church Cemetery in Bittinger, MD.