Delores Jean (Bowers) Currier, 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 7, surrounded by her devoted family and friends at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses.
Delores, the first child of Charles and Mabel (Hickman) Bowers, was born December 13, 1937, in Harper, Okla., and attended grade school and high school at Laverne where she graduated in May 1956.
In high school, she was Valedictorian, Girls State, on the Honor Roll, Senior Class Treasurer, and basketball Co-Captain. She then attended Northwestern State College and graduated in May 1959 with a BS degree in Business Education (minor in Physical Education) and finished her masters in 1970 followed by her degree in Gifted Education in May of 1980 through Wichita State. Her honors in college were President of Women’s Athletic Association, State Champ in Archery, President’s Honor Roll, National Honor Society (Kappa Delta Pi) and she had the lead in the college play, Linda Loman, in “Death of a Salesman”.
Delores married Cleve Edwin Currier December 29, 1957, at the Nazarene Church in Laverne, Okla. They had two sons: Clifford Edwin Currier and Lonnie Duane Currier.
Delores was a dedicated teacher of 31 years and lifelong proponent of education. She began teaching business from 1959-1962 in Seiling Okla. They moved to Ulysses where she shaped young minds as a beloved third grade teacher in USD 214 from 1967 - 1981. She then went on to teach Gifted Students for 14 years at High Plains Special Education Cooperative from 1981 to 1995.
Delores and Cleve enjoyed many years traveling America and to Alaska after she retired at the age of 58.
Delores was an avid volunteer and community leader. She served at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Volunteers for many years as president and helped run the Gift Shop and coordinated volunteers for 24 years receiving the Gold Award of Excellence in 2019 by the Hospital Auxiliaries of Kansas and the Kansas Hospital Association, and a 20 Year Certificate of Appreciation Award in 2022.
Delores was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) in Ulysses and served many years in planning fundraising auctions and meetings to raise money for charitable work to include presenting youth awards. She held offices as Treasurer and Auditor during her years of service.
Delores was active in the Ladies Golf Association for many years. In addition to hosting many ladies’ tournaments over the years, she donated and raised funds to help build the Bentwood Golf Course back nine holes, making it an 18-hole golf course in 2010.
Delores led a great life with a testament to the power of love of family, education and community service. She loved visiting her grandkids and great grandkids throughout the years, watching them play sports or going to their music concerts, and playing cards and games. She loved golf, KU Basketball and Royals Baseball. She loved going to many concerts and shows traveling all over the world those last few years with her partner, Darrel. She leaves behind a “can do” legacy and a family who will forever cherish her memory and strive to honor her example.
Delores is survived by her partner, Darrel Kleeman, Ulysses; son, Lonnie and Tami Currier, El Dorado, Kan.; daughter-in-law, Terri Currier, Las Vegas, Nev.; grandson, Jake and Misty Currier, El Dorado, Kan.; granddaughter, Jessica and Logan Bennett, Bel Aire, grandson, Travis and Tiffany Currier, Long Beach, Calif,, and grandson, Derek and Emma Currier, Yuma, Ariz.; great-grandchildren: Rhett, Kendry and Kelby Currier, Ruby and Grace Bennett, and Marissa, Kayden and Liliana Currier; siblings: Judy McGuire of Laverne, Okla., Donovan Bowers, Stillwater, Okla., Iva and John Dunn, Ulysses; Betty Sue Eilers, Mooreland, Okla., Charlene and Karl Jett, Laverne, Okla., Jack and Carol Bowers, Cherokee, Okla., and Denise and Steve Gabel, Beaver, Okla.; and many nieces and nephews.
Delores is preceded in death by her loving husband of 44 years, Cleve Edwin Currier; son, Clifford Edwin Currier; great-granddaughter, Jory Currier; brother Charles Donovan Bowers, brothers-in-law: Harold McGuire and Lowell Eilers; sister-in-law, Betty Bowers; and niece, Cherinda Wendt.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, March 12, at Garnand Funeral Home. Attire will be KU or KC Royals gear in honor of mom and her favorite teams.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, March 13, at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Ulysses.
Interment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery followed by a reception at the Bentwood Golf Course.
The family would like to thank hospital staff and volunteers who were friends of Delores and took great care of her.
Memorial contributions may be given to Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Volunteers in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, KS 67880.
Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
