Alice Gibson Obituary

Gibson, Alice

Alice Maxine Bowen Gibson, 97, of Lake Forest, Illinois died December 16, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born the sixth of eight children on November 5, 1928, to Thomas and Edna Bowen in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Alice graduated in 1950 from the University of Dubuque, where she met her husband, Renton Thomas Gibson, in an English class. For many years, they funded the University of Dubuque Bowen-Gibson Academic Scholarship, supporting English and political science majors.

Alice was a successful teacher, entrepreneur, and realtor who often said that her favorite job was "…being a mother." She served as an Elder and Rummage Sale Chairwoman and was a weekly parishioner at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. For several years, Alice was active with the American Association of University Women. In her free time, she enjoyed golf, socializing with dear friends, traveling, and writing. At age 91, she wrote the book Life at the Condo – The Senior Version, sharing her belief that love is precious and "something to pass on."

Alice was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Renton Thomas Gibson. She is survived by their children Scott Bowen Gibson, Julie Bowen Gibson; grandchildren Rebecca Joy (Martin) Berkowitz and Alyson Rose Gibson; great-grandchild Beau David Berkowitz.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Bowen-Gibson scholarship fund. Direct gifts may be made out at www.dbg.edu/invest or by mail to the Office of Advancement, University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest at (847) 234-9649 orwww.RTfunerals.com.

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