Bessie M. Bowen Schwinn, 90, of the Thorne Crest Retirement Community, Albert Lea, formerly of 1845 Floraview Dr., Dubuque, Iowa, passed away at 2:25 a.m., Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Thorne Crest Retirement Community of natural causes.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1870 St. Ambrose St., Dubuque, Iowa, with the Rev. Steven J. Rosonke presiding. There will also be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday at Thorne Crest Retirement Community in Albert Lea. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. To celebrate Bessie’s life friends may visit from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1870 St. Ambrose St., Dubuque, Iowa. Behr Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bessie was born on May 19, 1921, in Odenberg, La., daughter of Louis L and Josephine (Piazza) Salario.

Bessie moved to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1945 and lived there until June of 2008 when she moved to Albert Lea. She married Clarence J. “Chick” Bowen on Aug. 16, 1945, in Baton Rouge, La. He preceded her in death on Aug. 24, 1976. She later married Philip V. Schwinn on Sept. 17, 1977. He also preceded her in death on Oct. 16, 2000. Bessie could always be found in her kitchen cooking and entertaining her many friends with homemade goodies. She dearly loved her family and made a new family of friends at Thorne Crest. Bessie was a member of St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea and a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Dubuque, Iowa. She was also a member of Holy Family Catholic Mothers Study Club, St. Anthony’s Rosary Society and the Pegs and Jokers Club at Thorne Crest.

Survivors include her daughter, Judy (Mick) Jaquette of Albert Lea, stepdaughter, Helen (Mike) Balfe of Dubuque, Iowa, stepson, Philip J. (Linda) Schwinn of Kieler, Wis.; three grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; two sisters: Angie Bowen of Cedar Rapids and Mary Vince of Baton Rouge, La.; and brother, Blaise (Gwen) Salario of Denham Springs, La.

Preceded in death were her parents; two husbands: Clarence Bowen and Philip Schwinn; two sisters: Frances Sagona and Rose Salario; and a brother, Frank Salario.

In lieu of flowers a Bessie M. Schwinn memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com.