Born May 8, 1961 in Bucyrus, Ohio to the late John W. and Regine M. (Kempf) Kreim, she was proud to be raised on a farm in New Washington where she had a wholesome childhood and family life that formed her values and Catholic faith. She graduated in 1979 from Buckeye Central High School and subsequently attended the University of Akron earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting, while continuing one of her true passions as a cheerleader for the Zips. Denise was a lifelong cheerleader and would go on to coach several school and competitive teams. Denise also met her husband, James (Jim) Michael Bowen, at the University of Akron and they were married on September 20, 1986.
Once she had children, Denise’s life and work was entirely dedicated to her family. She was passionate about anything her family was involved in and you could often find her at her children’s baseball and soccer games, traveling to a cheer competition or volunteering at St. Francis de Sales and St. Vincent-St. Mary High School where her kids attended. She volunteered for the Hartville Welcome Wagon for many years, served as a Girl Scout troop leader, and offered her time and energy to many opportunities that presented themselves through church and school.
Denise loved traveling, and particularly the annual trip with her family to Myrtle Beach, a trip that took on new meaning with her diagnosis and the addition of several grandchildren. She was a planner at heart and would often talk about the fine details of memorable trips to Europe or a meal at the monthly Diners and Dives Club with some of her closest friends. Denise was a fantastic cook – family rarely missed the opportunity for a meal at her house – and penned some of the family’s most coveted recipes. She was also a shopper, always searching for the next ‘deal’. Although she was late to embrace e-commerce, she quickly mastered it over the last several years to the benefit of her grandchildren and Jim’s demise. Denise valued her time with her grandchildren the most – they were the apple of her eye and her true joy, often providing renewed energy during her recent struggles.
A devout Catholic, Denise was dedicated to praying the Rosary daily and a faithful member of Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Green and St. Francis De Sales Parish in Coventry.
Jim survives along with their children: Anthony (Emily) Bowen of Akron and Anna (Ryan) Kiefer of Maineville; grandchildren: Nora Bowen, William Bowen, Rhett Kiefer, Finley Kiefer, and Ruby Bowen; her sisters: Joan (David) Field of Marion and Kathy (Gary) Siesel of Bellevue; mother-in-law: Arlene Bowen of Cuyahoga Falls; in-laws: Shirley Kreim of Shelby, Cindy (Brian) Thompson of Bath, Debbie (Craig) Mottice of Green, and Mike (Kathy) Bowen of Cuyahoga Falls; 20 nieces and nephews and their families, and numerous other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Denise was preceded in death by her brother: Robert “Rob” Kreim; and father-in-law: James M. Bowen.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 5-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, Ohio 44875 where a rosary will be recited at 7 pm. Additionally, visitation will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 10 am-12 noon at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1800 Steese Road, Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at the church at 12:15 pm. Rev. G. David Bline will celebrate Mass with Rev. David R. Durkee concelebrating. Entombment will take place in Mary Queen of Heaven Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, Akron, with a meal to follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. For those wishing, memorial contributions may be made to Queen of Heaven Catholic Church or St. Francis de Sales School, Akron.
Condolences may be left on Denise’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).