They made their home at the Bowring Ranch near Merriman in Cherry County, Nebraska.

She was appointed to the United States Senate by Governor Robert B. Crosby to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dwight Griswold, making her the first woman to represent Nebraska in the Senate.

After her service in the Senate, Bowring continued ranching near Merriman.

She served part-time on the Board of Parole of the Department of Justice from 1956 to 1964.

After her death, Bowring Ranch was donated to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, becoming Bowring Ranch State Historical Park.