Diane Bowens-Cook

Diane L. Bowens-Cook, 77, of Phoenix, Arizona lost her battle with COPD and lung cancer passing away February 13, 2019. Diane was born February 19, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan to Daniel and Iolene Miesel, the family moved to Kingman, Arizona in the early 50’s returning to Michigan and finally settling in Phoenix permanently in 1959. She married Leroy Bowens in March of 1960 and to this union 3 children were born. Leroy preceded her in death in 1980. She met Gerald Cook in 1984 when she went to work at the Hallmark shop in Maryvale Mall. They eventually married and a wonderful step-father entered the family. Diane and Jerry eventually opened JC’s Cards & Gifts that had been in the former Bank One building in downtown Phoenix until they retired. Jerry preceded her death in 2013. Diane was feisty and opinionated but had an incredibly generous heart. She would give to anyone in need. She enjoyed cooking and was famous among friends and family for her green chili burros. She was also an avid reader and always had a book she was involved in. Television shopping networks were something she began to enjoy in recent years and thought it was wonderful that you could call them and “it was dropped at your door”. Diane is survived by daughters Kathy Strand (son in law Peder) and Christine Krull, son Leroy Bowens Jr.; brother Daniel “Skip” Meisel; grandchildren Jennifer Lose, Nicholas Lose, Carter Schrage; 2 nephews and 4 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her close friends and neighbors Don & Wanda DeWalt who were always there to lend a helping hand especially in the recent years with her health issues. Visitation will be 10:00am-12:00noon, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., in Sun City. Graveside service to follow at 1:00 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ where she will be laid to rest with Jerry.