WHITTIER Calif. - Born Dec. 18, 1920 in Rexburg Idaho to Quincy Bonesteel Nichols and Esther Houtz Nichols.
Returned to her Heavenly Father on Jan. 2, 2010.
At age four, Katie climbed on a piano bench, and started to play. She never stopped. She was never formally trained, could not read music, but played piano with a style and finesse of a concert pianist, to the delight of all those around her.
Katie was married to Brinton N. Bowles in 1947 in California, solemnized in the Los Angeles LDS Temple April, 1949.
Katie worked as a legal secretary in her husband's law practice, and in other various secretarial positions throughout her life. She pioneered the image of the modern working mother, as she raised seven children.
Katie was a faithful and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Young Women's program for over 20 consecutive years.
Later in her life, Katie moved to Utah, and met and married her musical match, Lyle Bryner, of Price.
They were married for time in the Manti LDS Temple, Sept. 18, 2001. They entertained many in Carbon and Emery counties with their piano and mandolin concerts.
She returned to California after Lyle passed away.
Katie was a friend to everyone... there were no strangers to her. She would strike up a conversation anywhere, at anytime, with any person young or old, and they would leave having found a new friend.
She learned to love sports when her kids were involved, and became an avid and lifelong fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. "Take Me Out To the Ballgame" is a favorite song.
She is survived by her children Dean (Ann) Bowles, Monona Wisconsin, Howard (Merri Lyn) Bowles, Fallon, NV, MaryAnna Jewitt (Tucker), Frisco City, Alabama, Linda (Marty) Kopelowitz, Meridian , Idaho, David (Marie Bryner) Bowles, Price, Mark (Lisa) Bowles, Fresno California. 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, stepson Ross Bryner and two step-grandchildren.
Preceeded in death by her mother, her father, son Paul who passed away at age four, husband Brinton Bowles, husband Lyle Bryner, and one grandson, Wesley.
Funeral on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 at Rose Hills Cemetery and Mortuary Hillside Chapel, Whittier Calif.
