Delta Irene Allard

Delta Irene, Age 87,was born August 7, 1934, in Kansas during the Great Depression in the middle of the Dust Bowl. She was the oldest daughter of 10 living children. Her parents Virgil and Nancy Niceswander, moved the family to Michigan at some point to have a better chance of living the farming life they knew. She grew up in a large family on a farm which her children will remember visiting and spending time in summers during their younger years. At 16, Delta went to the Detroit area to stay with family and finish attending school. She attended Pershing High School. She also went to work at the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Home in Farmington Hills. Delta met her future mother-in-law Ica Bowler there, who was a seamstress at the home. Delta worked with the babies and toddlers in their rooms, which she loved. And, it was through Ica Bowler that she met Ica’s son Keith Edgar Bowler. He was the man she considered to be her one true love. Keith and Delta married in 1953 had 6 children, Terry (Helen) Bowler, Alan Bowler, Linda (John) Hanson), Keith Thomas (Karen) Bowler, and the twins Kay McLucas and Fay (Jim) Smyth. Delta had her hands full raising 6 children, especially after Keith passed in 1972. She eventually went to work for J.L. Hudson’s at Northland Mall as a sales associate. She remembered being elected to wear the Santa Bear costume during Christmas because of her petite 4 foot 11 inch stature. She was proud of her employment there and was reluctant to finally retire. Delta was very proud of all of her grand (13) and great(10) grandchildren. Some of her grand children fondly remember her Christmas gifts, usually handmade with some money tucked in. Everyone got something. She loved family gatherings, especially Christmas and yearly Fourth of July family reunions at her sister Barb’s home in Springport. This is where she had the chance to catch up with her siblings and their families. She eagerly attended many of her grand kids school concerts and sporting events. As one grandchild lovingly recalled, grandma was able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, anywhere. In her later years, especially after she gave up driving, Delta was always eager to get out of the house. Have cane will travel. Going to the movies or out to eat, it didn’t matter. Delta loved visiting and talking with her friends and family. She was a strong person who had her struggles in life but managed to keep going to the best of her ability. After a series of strokes and falls at home, Delta passed at Beaumont Hospital Farmington on September 9, 2021 at the age of 87. We will all miss her. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 1:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Garden City, 6443 Merriman Rd., Garden City, 48135. Please share a memory of Delta on her tribute wall.