Kathleen A Owens

Memorial Services for Kathleen A. Owens will be conducted from the Christian Homes Care Community Chapel at Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain DeWane Dow and Reverend Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr., officiating. Inurnment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery at Rock Island, Illinois at a later date.

Kathleen Audrey Owens, 94 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center at Holdrege. Kathleen was born April 23, 1915 at Rock Island, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Sallie Caroline (Means) Bealer. She graduated from Rock Island High School with the class of 1932. During WW II, Kathleen was employed as a bookkeeper, a part-time secretary for Memorial Christian Church of Rock Island and as a secretary at TCU from 1953-1958 in the Brite Divinity School and later in the Office of the Registrar. Following this she was a full-time minister's wife for 20 years.

On March 21, 1936, Kathleen was united in marriage to Robert Anthony Owens at the Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island and to this union two children were born: Rose Ann and John. The family's life was centered around serving the Lord, as Kathleen's husband, Robert ministered to communities in Iowa, Texas and Louisiana. On January 28, 1978, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert. In 2001, Kathleen moved to Holdrege and resided at Chrisoma West to be near her daughter. In July of 2008, she moved to full health care.

Kathleen was a very active member of the Memorial Christian Church in Rock Island, served as past president of the Christian Church of Iowa (Disciples of Christ), and was also a member of the National Board of the Christian Church. She was also a member of the International Board of Women of the Christian Church, and served as past president of the Church Women United Organization and was active with other church related activities.

She enjoyed collecting angels, needlepoint, crocheting, creating plastic canvas artwork, loved all kinds of crafts and enjoyed writing letters and emails.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughter, Rose Ann Messersmith and her husband, Dick of Holdrege; son, John Owens and his wife, Sandra of Woodinville, Washington; five grandchildren; one step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Doris Abbott; and two brothers: Leonard and Delmar Bealer.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Kathleen's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the Christian Homes Chapel Fund, Christian Sojourn Haiti, c/o Dr. Stuart Embury, 1606 Garfield Street; Holdrege, Nebraska 68949 or to the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.