Mrs. Jessie LaJune Cowden, 76, Osawatomie, died Monday, Nov. 2, 1987, at the Golden Heights Living Center in Garnett.

She was born west of LeRoy, Kan., June 25, 1911, the daughter of Albert Luther and Camilla Cadwell Johnson. She attended school in Aliceville, Kan., and later in Freeman, Mo., before the family moved to Osawatomie in 1926. She attended Osawatomie High School and graduated with the Class of 1929.

On Jan. 26, 1929, she was united in marriage to Nelson Shaw Cowden in Olathe. They made their home in Osawatomie.

Mrs. Cowden worked for the Postal Service during World War II and during the 1950's she worked at the Osawatomie State Hospital. She owned and operated a small grocery store and gas station, Cowden Grocery, at the west edge of Osawatomie for several years. Her husband helped her with the store during the last three years it was open.

She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Osawatomie, the Elk Ladies Auxiliary and the United Presbyterian Women. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, Nelson, Jan. 24, 1983.

She is survived by her son, William A. Cowden of Parker; her daughter, Nancy L., the wife of Robert Brownback, also of Park; a sister, Mrs. Rena Bogar of Colorado Springs, Colo,; a brother, Thomas C. Johnson of Napa, Calif.; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

The services were at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The Rev. Ralph Adamson officiated. The music was provided by Dean Diediker, accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Nelle Dollar.

The burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. The pallbearers were Eldon McDowell, John Diediker, Sam Brownback, Alan Brownback, Jim Brownback and Jim Bogar.

Memorials were established in her name to the church.