Bellingham, WA – Our beloved mother, Delores Ione Owen, 92, of Bellingham, WA, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023.
Delores was born September 22, 1930, to parents Gustave and Valeria (Reller) Vad in Thief River Falls. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948.
On August 31, 1952, she was united in marriage to Morris Owen Jr, her high school sweetheart. She was a homemaker raising four children for many years prior to working as a secretary for the Highline School District.
She and her husband were very active parishioners at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Des Moines, WA.
After retirement they built a beautiful home in Bellingham, WA, overlooking the bay and islands. Mom loved that view!
As members of Sacred Heart Church, Mom served many years with Catholic Daughters and loved singing in the choir.
Mom and Dad enjoyed travels to Norway, Alaska and Hawaii. After Dad’s passing, she continued to travel with friends and family, including two trips to Italy and Paris. Delores enjoyed tending her vegetable and flower gardens, canning, sewing, baking and volunteering at a local soup kitchen. She traveled to Minnesota annually to visit her extended family.
She is survived by her children, Marcie (Ron) Dubrow, Bellingham, WA, Mark Owen, Des Moines, WA, Gary (Diane) Owen, Wenatchee, WA, and David (Theresa) Owen, Graham, WA; 11 grandchildren, Kristen Stead, Leah Owen, Adam Dubrow, Brandon Owen, Andrew Owen, Bryan Dubrow, Russell Owen, Michelle Owen, Danielle Dubrow, Erik Owen, Jack Owen; 11 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Betty Laufman, Thief River Falls, Judy Owen, Thief River Falls, Lorray Tupy, Apple Valley, Jayne Vad, Breckenridge, and Marlys Vad, Bottineau, ND.
Delores was preceded in death by the love of her life, Morris Owen Jr; parents, Gustav and Valeria Vad; brothers, Duane and Darrol Vad; and sister, Darlene Sedivy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Silverado Memory Care and Bellingham Hospice for all their love and care of our precious Mom. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the hospice.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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