Johanna Owens

Johanna Owens Born; 01-16-1920 to Bertha and John Olson, Norwegian immigrants, in Watford City, North Dakota. She attended elementary and middle schools in Watford City and Hettinger, North Dakota. Johanna passed from this life on 04-13-2018. She is survived by her sons, Archie and Dennis Owens of Wenatchee and Daniel Owens of Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 1939 Johanna was nineteen and living in Fork Peck, Montana when she met the man who would become her husband and life partner, Bert Owens. They married and moved to Buffalo, Missouri to be near Bert’s parents. From there they moved to Mountain Home, Arkansas where Archie was born in 1940. WWII had started. The young family moved to Indian Head, Maryland and Bert found work as a Defense Worker in a gunpowder factory and their second son, Dennis was born in the summer of 1943. After the war was over, they moved back to Missouri having saved enough money to buy a farm down the road from Bert’s parents. Six months later, they moved again. This time to Washington State in pursuit of better opportunities in the heavy construction industry. Johanna’s third son, Daniel was born in 1954 in Okanogan while Bert was assisting in construction of the Chief Joseph Dam. Johanna and her family found a permanent home in Wenatchee in 1956. Johanna thrived in her life in Wenatchee, embracing the community, her church, the Christian Missionary Alliance, and her duties as Church Deaconess. She was also a room mother, supplying her son Daniel’s first, second and third grade classes with cupcakes and cookies for special occasions. She was also active as a volunteer worker for many charities, including the Heart Fund. Throughout this time and into Bert’s eventual retirement, Johanna was a tireless homemaker in the venerable, antiseptic, Norwegian fashion. Johanna herself drifted into semi-retirement aided by Bert who was assisting with light housekeeping and culinary efforts. Johanna and Bert enthusiastically joined the RV Community, traveling, fishing, and visiting friends and family in the Midwest. Johanna’s partner and lifelong love, Bert Owens passed in 2000. Johanna continued her active life in her church and YMCA exercise classes. Her sons Archie, Dennis and Daniel would come to visit regularly. Dennis, Daniel and Daniel’s wife, Brandy came to spend Christmas holidays with her; her first one without her husband, Bert. In 2005 Dennis moved to Wenatchee from his long term residence in Boulder, Colorado to keep Johanna company. It was a life of quiet companionship enjoying Wenatchee’s many venues. Dennis assisted by his older brother, Archie remained her companions and caregivers until the end of her life Spring Is in the air I Can see it everywhere! The trees, The Bumble bees, The Birds that sing, So clearly in the spring, The Green land reappears, The days are warmer And, Wind bears down From The mountains… By Johanna Olson-Owens - 1980 Johanna’s life will be remembered and celebrated on Wednesday, April 25 at 1:00 pm at Jones & Jones ~ Betts Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Wenatchee City Cemetery.

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Johanna Owens

January 16, 1920 - April 13, 2018