Warren – George Owens, 84, of Warren, died on Monday, December 23, 2024, at Altru, with his children at his bedside.
George was a storyteller. He enjoyed sharing tales that were unbelievable- except that in his case they were true. The first fact is that he was born on July 13, 1940 to Lloyd and Mary (Kimball) Owens. He was raised on the family farm near Euclid and had “farming in his blood.” So much so that his dad put him on a Farmall tractor totally alone at 3 years and 9 months old. He drove straight and true and didn’t even need help taking the corners.
Inquisitive and social, young George also had to be tied up in the barn to keep from getting kicked while his mother milked the cows- so nobody is perfect. At 15 years old, George bought his first real piece of land with the help of Grandpa Bill Owens: he paid off the loan in the first year after back-breaking labors. George attended country school before graduating from Warren High School in 1958. He entered the National Guard (1958-1961) and had ambitions of becoming a mechanic, even attended schooling for it… then the weather turned nice and he realized he’d rather be back in the fields.
George farmed with his dad for many years, starting in an official capacity in 1956. He never really retired, working with his son and grandson in-turn.
One of his favorite tales is how he met his future wife, Marie Walseth, as he tells it, “in a St. Hilaire phone booth.” And this was true! They were each waiting to make a call (to another date) and he decided better of his call after seeing his true love in-person. When Marie wisely wouldn’t go to a dance with him (a perfect stranger), the next day he found her parents’ house and drove out to ask again! They were married on June 30, 1961, in Melo Lutheran, George’s home church. They would have had it in the bride’s church but the couple wanted a wedding dance, forbidden at the time by her pastor. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage, living on the same farmstead their whole lives together, raising their children, and having coffee together every morning.
George was a hard worker who in later years realized the importance of saying “I Love You” more often. He must have said it a thousand times if he said it once. What more can a man ask for than people to love and love him in return? This is the legacy he leaves behind.
George is survived by his wife, Marie; children, Blake Owens (Jill Wessels) of Warren, Brenda (Tom) Ose of Thief River Falls, and Becky (Troy) Ament of Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandchildren, Amber (Ryan) Storey, Austin (Molly) Owens, Brandi (Jordan) Torgerson, Evan (Abbie) Ose, Logan Ose, and Rylie, Harley, and Easton Ament; six great-grandchildren, Avery, Emmett, Marley, Stori, and two on-the-way; and two of his siblings, Sharon Kelly, and Curt (Shirley) Owens; and Marie’s siblings, Roy, Al, Wally, Lyle, Scott, and Chickie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Bonita Owens (d. Feb. 1974); sister, Barbara Owens; brother-in-law, Brian Kelly; Marie’s parents, Harold and Gladys; and siblings, Jane, Eddie, Lee, Vernon, and Karen.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Warren.
Visitation will be Friday evening, December 27, 2024, beginning at 5 p.m., with a 6 p.m. prayer service at the church.
Interment (to follow lunch): Melo Lutheran Cemetery, rural Warren.
Arrangements are by DuBore Funeral Home. The guestbook is available at www.DuBoreFuneralHome.com.

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