In the late 1940’s, Marcia’s father, Erv Mannerud, and his brother, Doc, started an Aggregate Construction Company based in Brookings, SD and served eastern SD as Mannerud Construction. The brothers were partners in aggregate production and trucking. Like many family businesses, the children of both men were guaranteed summer employment helping the company accomplish all the projects. Everyone doing what it takes to get the job done.
While weighing trucks at our gravel resource south of Brookings, Marcia would meet a newly hired truck driver from DeSmet, SD. A recent Honorably Discharged Army Veteran of Vietnam, Lyle Bowes was decorated with, among other awards, the Bronze Star Medal with the V device for Valor. This fateful introduction would lead to the marriage of Lyle and Marcia, the start of their family with the birth of Jason and Miranda and the beginning of a legacy of Heavy Highway Construction that is now looking at 50 years of service.
1973 was a time of upheaval for Mannerud Construction as tragedy struck while on a project in Badger, SD. Erv passed away from a sudden, severe heart attack and Mannerud Construction dissolved shortly thereafter. Lyle and Marcia were able to purchase some assets and with a partner establish a new company in 1978.
After a few years, the shared vision of Oesby-Bowes Construction was developing in different directions. It became time for Lyle and Marcia to take a leap of faith and buy out their partner. Thus, beginning the journey of Bowes Construction, Inc. in 1981. The business would soon see growth and immediate staffing needs requiring Marcia to officially sign on as a full-time employee with BCI. This decision would lead to a career spanning 27 years and the opportunity to become one of the first women in South Dakota to own a road construction company, JaMir Reclamation.
For the next decade Bowes Construction kept focused on aggregate production as well as trucking and laying aggregate to create a strong road base for asphalt, concrete or gravel for much of eastern South Dakota. It was around this time in 1991, that an opportunity of unknown potential was presented to Lyle by a loyal customer, Shorty Wyland.
An asphalt producer and paver headquartered in Dell Rapids, Shorty was looking to sell his company andasphalt plant. After much discussion and consideration, it was decided that Bowes Construction would now move into the world of asphalt production, paving and asphalt road recycling in addition to aggregate production and trucking.
Although stressful for a small family business to take on an entity that would double the size of the company and volume of work, this acquisition would allow for many tremendous opportunities for BCI. It also allowed the surrounding area to experience all the benefits and advantages of asphalt, including cost effectiveness, longevity, and recycling ability.
1994 was the full circle moment for Bowes Construction when both children returned home and joined the company as full-time employees. In May Miranda began assisting Marcia with office duties. October brought Jason home from the USMC with an Honorable Discharge to undertake the laydown operations in the field. A true family business was now underway as it took everyone doing what it takes to get the job done.
Innovation now came to Bowes Construction with improvements to the crushing plants in aggregate production and to the laydown division by way of GPS. BCI was one of the first in the state to implement GPS technology on its equipment and projects.
Exciting events continued to take place in the years that followed with Miranda’s marriage to Eric Peterson and Jason’s marriage to RaeAnn Higbee. Soon the family extended further with grandchildren Cole Schneider, Logan Bowes, Jaxon Bowes, Erica Peterson, and Elexa Peterson. Holding tight to the family’s core beliefs and common values Lyle, Marcia, Jason, RaeAnn, Miranda, Eric, and a great team of employees behind them, kept Eastern South Dakota experiencing the best in aggregate and asphalt for the next 18 years.
2012 began the 2nd generation of Bowes Construction, Inc. with Jason and Miranda buying out their parents as both Lyle & Marcia embarked on retirement after 37 & 27 dedicated years respectively. Although, both continue to always be available to everyone for any consultation needed.
Teaming up for the next 11 years, Jason and Miranda kept Bowes at the forefront of Heavy Highway Construction Companies in South Dakota. Accomplishing many strategic projects for the Federal Government, State of SD and local communities supported by a hard-working loyal staff they kept doing what it takes to get the job done. Their efforts brought forth awards from the National Asphalt Paving Association and the SD Association of General Contractors.
May 1st, 2023, Jason Bowes became the sole owner of Bowes Construction, Inc. as Miranda made the decision to move on to other exciting endeavors outside of road construction. Working hard to stay vital in a competitive market, BCI invested in major purchases of a state-of-the-art Asphalt Plant and a new Crushing Plant. Both are major factors that will assist BCI in achieving a high level of efficiency for its customers and projects.
Always looking forward, the 3rd generation is beginning to make their presence known. Cole Schneider, a 2020 BS graduate in Construction Management from SDSU is currently in the role of estimator and project manager for BCI. Logan Bowes is nearing the end of his USMC service contract and will be attending SDSU spring 2025 majoring in Construction Management. And the youngest, Jaxon Bowes, will be a junior at SDSU majoring in Construction Management.
Growing up within the family business as their Grandparents, Aunt, and Father have done, all the boys are passionate and driven to continue in the legacy that has been created before them. Continuing to share the same common values and core beliefs will ensure that everyone will continue doing what it takes to get the job done!
