Bobbie was born in Ames, IA 4-9-37 to Russell Henry Mowen and Doris Henrietta ‘Downs’ Mowen at Aunt Hellen’s home. Bobbie was raised in Maxwell, IA with siblings George Mowen, Virginia Henricksen, and Cheryl Swalwell-Hughes. She later married Gary Perdue and started a family of six children Debbie Husted, Steve Perdue, Renee Salisbury, Stacey Nicodemus, Scott Perdue, and Brad Perdue. Her children followed in her footsteps by producing 12 grandchildren Audrey, Benjamin, Allen, Christopher, Gregory, Robert, Amber, Holley, Quinn, Maddi, Zachary, and Jessica. Followed by 36 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. After graduating from Maxwell High School she was secretary at the County Attorney’s Office to Judge Ray Hanrahan. She helped Gary in all of his entrepreneurial adventures which generated lots of money for other people. She worked for Urbandale Parks and Recs teaching ballroom dancing all over Iowa. She participated in dance competitions where she won many awards especially in tango and mambo. She was hostess for the National Democratic Convention in 1960 for Kennedy. She was president of the PTA for Hills Elementary for all six of her children. She was a hostess for the Christina Compianos restaurant, Glenn’s restaurant, Red Lobster, and On the Border. She had a reputation for being an excellent session singer for big named bands that came to Des Moines when she was so young she had to sneak in the back because she was underage. She was an excellent pianist. She dedicated her life to her entire family. She was a member of West Minster Church. Bobbie also hosted bible study classes at home. She was an avid baker for family and friends. She even baked for her bankers. Family was the most important thing to her. School functions, family picnics, holiday get togethers she went above and beyond. Quite different from growing up on a farm milking cows. She never drank. She never smoked. All she did was sing and dance right until the end. Blue Moon Bobbie went to her forever home on a Super Blue Moon.
Visitation
10:00 AM
Friday, August 23, 2024
Merle Hay Chapel
4400 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday, August 23, 2024
Merle Hay Chapel
4400 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310
Burial to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens Cemetery, 4400 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310.
