Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph Bowman age 60 of Eagle Butte, will be at 10 AM, MT, Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at the Cheyenne Eagle Butte Auditorium. Burial will be at the Eagle Butte Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM Monday with a prayer service at 7 PM at All Saints Catholic Church. Joseph passed away Wednesday August 23 at the Eagle Butte Hospital.

Joseph L. Bowman, "Big Joe", 60, was born in Sioux City, IA on August 27, 1956 and passed away in Eagle Butte, SD on August 23, 2017. He was the middle child of the 3 sons born to Lyle and Mary Bowman. In 1956 The Bowman family relocated to Eagle Butte, SD.

Big Joe attended all of his school days at the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools. In High School Big Joe wanted to participate in sports but his Dad said no football so on to wrestling he went. As a wrestler he competed at the State wrestling meet and returned with second place honors. Big Joe needed to be busy so he decided school wasn't for him and graduated early at the end of his 1st semester during his senior year in high school in 1973-1974.

Big Joe immediately went off to work in the Wyoming oil fields. There he worked until his employers found out he wasn't of age and laid him off, his employer told him to come back when he was 18. Upon his return home he got into the sheep then hog business, custom harvesting, farming and bartending at "Dads Place", all before he was 21.

On September 24, 1977 Big Joe married the love of his life, Ginger Dupris. To this union the couple warmly welcomed and adopted Ravae and Misti as his two daughters. The couple had their first son in 1978, Joseph (Little or Young Joe), in 1980 his second son, James (Jim), in 1981 his final son, Leo. In the mid-90's another Bowman boy arrived, Justin Miner. Big Joe was always an attentive loving husband and dad who was excited to start his adventure with his family.

After a few years of being married Big Joe decided it was time to sell his hogs and start ranching, he bought himself a small herd of cows. The man who wore many hats had plenty to do now as he was farming, ranching, helping manage the City Package Liquor store in 1983-2006. He decided he needed to be involved in his kid's education. He served on the Eagle Butte School District's School Board from 1993 – 2004. While Big Joe was on the school board he made decisions that would benefit all of the community's kids. He was a humble man who wanted what was best for not only his own kids but for everyone's, all while continuing to grow his own family operation.

Big Joe made certain to provide his family a good life, he loved farming, ranching, cooking, hunting, fishing, trap shooting, skiing, gambling – especially shaking dice and playing cards. He shared these attributes with his son's throughout his life. Big Joe taught his boys how to run all of the equipment, work cows and live their lives with integrity. Working as a family team was something he cherished, when his kids were young and would ask to get a job in town the answer was always, "I have work for you".

As the years went by Big Joe was blessed with grandchildren who made his eyes shine and heart swell with pride and joy. He had a special relationship with each one of them and was always happy to see them. He had grandkids near and far. Big Joe loved all of his grandkids; he had a special relationship with his grandson Zander and granddaughters Suni, Rowie and Reagan. Zander wanted to spend every minute with his grandpa, Suni loved driving around with her grandpa, both Suni and Rowie always made the request to go to "vendings". Reagan took every minute she could to sit, play or lead her Papa around; she could spy him out anywhere in town, thanks to his old diesel pickup.

Big Joe will be remembered for offering listening ear, giving solid advice or simply greeting people with a hello. He led a genuine and humble life for all of the big jobs he accomplished every day.

Big Joe was survived by his beloved wife, Ginger Bowman, his two daughters Ravae and Misti, his four sons Joe, Jim (Jennifer), Leo, all of Eagle Butte, SD, Justin (Jonni) of Eagle Butte, SD, his brothers Jim (Gloria) Rapid City, SD John (Jaran) Las Vegas, NV, Aunt Casey Bunner of Sturgis,SD, Cousin Jerry (Chrissi) of Marysville, WA, Cousin Belva (Rod) of Sturgis, SD, Cousin Darlene (John) of Owanka, SD, Grandkids Caleb, Romey, Michelle and Hanna (Ravae), Emily and Phoenix (Misti), Hilary, Suni and Rowie (Joe), Daniel, Summer, Addison and Reagan (Jim), Zander and Ryan (Leo), Lily, K'Leigh and HaLeigh, and all nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Mary Bowman, grandparents, John and Elizabeth Bowman, Aunt Genieva Kellner, Aunt Dorothy Olson, Uncle Delmer Bowman, and Aunt Katherine Bowman.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to responding EMT's, CRST Law Enforcement - Jody Charging Eagle, Indian Health Service and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools.