Richard Gerald 'Dick' Owens

Richard “Dick” Gerald Owens passed away peacefully January 12, 2017, at the age of 85, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Born in 1931, Dick was the youngest child of John and Margaret Owens. He joined siblings Clayton, Mary Rita, Donald, Margaret, Audrey and Jack at home in Hopkins, MN, where he spent his formative years. He graduated from Hopkins High School in 1950. It was at Hopkins High School that he met Joan Johnson, who he married in 1955, and together they relocated to Schweinfurt, Germany where Dick was stationed for two years in the U.S. Army. While in Germany, they welcomed their first daughter Nancy. Upon returning to Hopkins, MN, they welcomed their second child Mary – and later twin boys Stephen and Michael. Dick and Joan were married for nearly 62 years, in which time they enjoyed watching their family grow, entertaining friends and neighbors and traveling with their children. They enjoyed camping trips when their children were young, and a memorable “road trip” to Mazatlán, Mexico in the family’s Ford Country Squire station wagon. When their children were grown, they enjoyed trips to England and Germany to see their daughter Mary and her family; a trip to France and Germany with children Nancy and Steve, and travels to Switzerland, Ireland and Norway. On one trip to England, Dick took the tunnel to France simply to have a drink at the American Legion Post #1 in Paris, before returning that same day; this was typical of Dick – to do the “why not” activity. In their later years, they enjoyed regular outings to the Elks Club and American Legion. Dick worked in Hopkins for many years, as a butcher, and later a realtor at MB Hagen Real Estate, Owens Realty and Roger Fazedin Realtors. He was involved in the Hopkins community, enjoying the various activities in “uptown,” including Raspberry Days – one year as Grand Marshall. After he retired, Dick enjoyed his morning trips to the Williston Center, and his afternoons and evenings playing cards with friends, playing Solitaire and woodworking. He built nearly 5,000 duck houses, bird feeders and other wood crafts in his basement, mostly with wood that he gathered through dumpster diving. Dick was also the “king” of garage sales, and frequently shared his finds with his family. When he wasn’t working, he could be found on the porch with Joan, watching the wildlife in their backyard. Always at his side was one of his faithful companions over the years – cats Twinkie and Pumpkin. The Owens house was the family gathering spot, with many fun family times on the porch and the deck. An avid outdoorsman, Dick began hunting in northwestern Minnesota in the late 1950’s with good friends Vern Thon and Jack Coffield, and introduced his sons Steve and Mike to the tradition in 1975. For more than two decades, Deer Camp consisted of tents and campers along the Traveling Johnson Ditch. Due to geography changes in the 1980’s, this was no longer possible, but Jack’s generosity allowed the Owens and Thon families to set up Deer Camp on his land – and the annual trek to Deer Camp (also known as “the swamp”) continued as an important part of life. Dick nurtured a love for the outdoors in his sons, and with them, enjoyed more than 40 years hunting as the Owens men; most recently a few months ago. Dick was one of the last original men that started hunting up north nearly 50 years ago to pass away, and many families and generations continue to carry on the traditions those men started so long ago. Throughout his life, Dick also enjoyed numerous trips to Montana to trout fish as part of the Switchback Cavalry, thanks to good friend Dan Fazedin; as well as trips with his children to fish in Canada, hunt turkeys in Southeastern MN, and ducks and pheasants in North Dakota. Dick was proud of his role as Grandpa. He spent countless hours building birdhouses in their classrooms, taking them to secret parks and the Raspberry Days parade, doing the goose candle dance and catfish cookouts, visiting with them at the house and teaching them about wildlife and hunting traditions. Two of his grandchildren were with him when he passed, a testament to how important Grandpa was in their lives. Dick made friends easily, and will be missed by many, including good friends Bob Miller and Noland Bjorge. He was quick to stop to say hello and ask how you were doing, and in recent years, while enjoying morning breakfasts with his daughter Nancy, made many new friends who will miss seeing him. Dick is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Joan; children Nancy, Mary (Greg) Pearson, Stephen (Laura) Owens, Michael and special friend Renee Callaway; grandchildren Matthew, Emily and John Pearson, Olivia and Maria Owens (and their mother Sarah Owens), and Theodore and Boden Owens; and sisters-in-law Jean Davis and Gladys Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret, and his siblings The family wishes to thank Dick and Joan’s longtime neighbor Mary Skomsoyvog and caregivers Selena and Rachel for their friendship and compassion toward Dick. A celebration of life will be held at the Hopkins Elks Club on Friday, January 20 at 5:00 p.m.(30 8th Avenue South, Hopkins, MN). Washburn Mc Reavy Hopkins is entrusted with arrangements. Dick preferred any donations be directed to the Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org or DAV Dept. of Minnesota Foundation, State Veterans Service Building, Floor 3, St. Paul, MN 55155)

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Richard Gerald 'Dick' Owens

January 12, 2017

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