|
Gordon E. Owens • 1930- 2006 Gordon was born January 27, 1930 in Rolette, ND, to Irwin and Frances (Fox) Owens. His family farmed in the Cando and Churches Ferry area until 1950 when they moved to the Leeds-Brinsmade area. He attended rural school in Towner County and Churches Ferry. Gordon served in the United States Army from December 1948 to December of 1949. Following his military service, he worked in the Leeds area. He married Patricia "Patty" Burkhardsmeier on August 16, 1956. Following their marriage they lived in the Leeds and Devils Lake, ND areas until 1961 when they moved to Fremont, California. While living in Fremont, Gordon was employed by the Kelly-Moore Paint Company. In 1970, they returned to Leeds, and in 1971 they moved to Surrey. Gordon was employed with the Keebler Cookie Co. and later the City of Surrey as a one-man maintenance department. He also farmed throughout the years with his brother Cecil, in Leeds. Gordon won many distinguished awards including, Safe Driver of the Year throughout his employment with the Keebler Company. Gordon also helped start the Surrey Volunteer Fire Department and served several years as the Surrey Fire Chief and Assistant Chief. Gordon was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot. Following Patty's death, Gordon resided in Minot until his death. Gordon enjoyed meeting friends for coffee and solving "the world's problems." He took an avid interest in politics and especially enjoyed spending time with family members. His favorite thing to say was, "take it one day at a time." Gordon is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Jeanie, Faribault, MN, Jim and Rhoda, Minot, and Dave and Patty, Bismarck; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Ken Malsom, Minot, and Beth and Keith Koch, Washburn; nine grandchildren, Kimberly and Kayla Owens, Bismarck, James and Sarah Owens, Minot, Samuel Owens, Faribault, MN, Nicholas and Faith Malsom, Minot, Shawn Koch, Bismarck, and Jared Koch, Wausau, WI, and three great-grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Garland Sagen, Devils Lake; and several other brothers and sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patty, his parents, an infant daughter, Mary, three brothers and a sister. Funeral: Saturday, August 26, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, Leeds, ND. Visitation and vigil prayer service: Visitation Friday, August 25, 2006, from noon to 7:00 p.m. with the vigil service Friday at 7:00 p.m., all at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Burial: St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Cemetery, Leeds, ND Celebrant of the Liturgies: Father Joseph D'Aco Reader: John Owens Eulogist: Garland Sagen Music: Congregational Hymns Keith Koch, acoustic guitarist Active Bearers; Garland Sagen , Ron Burns, Roger Kenner,
Wayne Brager,Wayne Owens Gary Mehrer To sign the online guest register
for Gordon |