Fern Owen

FERN EVELYN MARIE OWEN

Fern Evelyn Marie Owen, age 101, of Kahoka, MO, died peacefully Sunday, August 6, 2006 at her home.

She was born April 4, 1905 at Galesburg, IL, a daughter of Gustavis W. and Anna Louise Roseburg Swanson.

She married Earl H. Owen on November 8, 1933 in Kahoka. He preceded her in death on May 24, 1988.

Survivors include two sons, Robert E. Owen and his wife, Helen, and Bill Owen, all of Kahoka; a daughter, Mary L. Cochenour of Kahoka;11 grand-children: Bobby Cochenour and James Cochenour, both of Kahoka, Samuel Cochenour of Revere, Evelena Sutterfield and her husband, Greg, of Kahoka, Bill Cochenour of Newton, IA, Nancy Cochenour of Iowa, Carla Alexander of Kirksville, Deana Owen and her husbband, Mirko Beusan of New Albany, IN, Chad Owen and his wife, Denise, of Revere, Gary Randolph and his wife, Cathy, of Canton, and Kipp Randolph and his wife, Kathy, of Fort Madison; 23 great grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son-in-law, Ross Cochenour; a daughter-in-law, Linda Owen; two grandchildren, Nathan Edward Cochenour and Richard E. "Rick" Owen; one brother, Oscar Swanson; and a sister, Hazel Swanson.

Fern was very progressive for her generation. She graduated from Kahoka High School and attended business college at Fort Madison. Prior to her marriage she worked in Kansas City and Chicago where she worked as a stenographer and also had played the piano in a major department store window which sold pianos.

After marrying Earl, together they farmed in Mt. Sterling, Williamstown and Wyaconda areas until retiring in 1964 and moving to Kahoka.

Fern was of the Methodist faith and had been a member of the Williamstown Methodist Church for many years. She enjoyed being a farm wife and loved caring for baby chicks. Until her health declined, she had also enjoyed going to the Clark Co. Senior Center and playing cards. She was an excellent cook and an excellent and loving mother and grandmother.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Ernest Deatrick officiating. Burial will follow in Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends can call at Wilson Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Tuesday with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Clark Co. Senior Center.