Anne (Hocking) Gower

Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN 56001
507-388-2202

Mrs. Anne Gower, 77, died Wednesday, May 2, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester. Anne was born February 14, 1935, in Hancock, Michigan, and grew up in Ironwood, Michigan, where she attended Gogebic Community College after high school. She then completed a degree in physical therapy at the University of Minnesota, and later a masters degree in gerontology at Mankato State University.

Anne worked as a therapist at the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, at the University of Minnesota hospitals, and at hospitals in Albuquerque and Mankato, then was PT director at Lakeshore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca for 28 years.

She married Ronald Gower in 1958 and they lived in El Paso, Texas, before returning to Minnesota. They lived in Mankato until 1968, then moved to Albuquerque, NM, returning to Minnesota in 1970. Anne and Ron lived on a hobby farm near Good Thunder for 34 years, and just recently moved to Mankato.

Anne was a vibrant, congenial person who devoted her life to caring for others. She loved travel and camping, reading, gardening, music, and hot air balloons, and was also an avid rockhound. She and Ron traveled extensively, mostly camping across much of the US, Canada and Alaska, and also visiting Europe and Mexico a number of times.

Anne is survived by her husband Ron, sons; Owen of Oxford, Missisppi, Hugh and his partner Angie Alberda of Mankato, and grandsons; Cade and Quinn Gower.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father and one brother.

Memorial Service for Mrs. Anne (Hocking) Gower, who died May 2, 2012, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Mankato Mortuary. Guests are then invited to 1207 N. 4th St. for refreshments and conversation after the service. Songs, stories, and poems welcome, but no gifts please.