KENNETH GEORGE OWENS

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KENNETH GEORGE OWENS

August 21, 1944 – April 3, 2023

Kenneth George Owens passed away on April 3, 2023, at the age of 78 in Calgary, Alberta, where he had been residing close to his family for the past two years. Ken held a positive attitude throughout his years of coping with COPD and passed of a heart attack while living in an assisted living facility in Calgary. His warm personality, humour and kindness was appreciated among the residents and friends in the facility.



Ken was born on August 21, 1944, to Howard and Jessie (nee Arnold) Owens in Brandon, Manitoba, the fourth of eight children. He attended David Livingstone Elementary School and Early Haig Junior High. Adventurous, curious, and generally living a “Huckleberry Finn-like” lifestyle, his childhood years were spent exploring the North Hill where his family lived, swimming in the Assiniboine River, delivering papers, bottle collecting (two cents each), setting up pins at the bowling alley, and working in market gardens to earn spending money. During a cold February day when Ken (age 8) and his brother, Gerald (age 10), were crossing the Assiniboine River on their way to school, Ken had a close call when he fell through one of the snow-covered holes left by ice cutters. His brother, Gerald, managed to rescue him from the icy waters.



At the age of 15, Ken moved to Bagot, Manitoba, to assist on the farm of his grandmother, Katherine Christina Arnold (nee Patterson) and his uncle, Robert John Arnold. He attended Grade 9 in Bagot and his high school in MacGregor, Manitoba. He loved the agricultural setting and became an active member of the Bagot 4-H Calf Club, played quarterback and defensive back for the MacGregor Collegiate Mustangs Football Team, played baseball and competed in several provincial curling championships.



Following his high school years, Ken was employed as a crane operator, transport truck driver, and nurse’s aide before settling on a 25-year career with the St. James/Assiniboia Police Department in Winnipeg, Manitoba (1970 to 1995). In those days, as was routine, he “walked the beat” and got to know the people in his district. Following his retirement from the police force, he became the building superintendent for Country Knoll Estates in south Winnipeg. He took joy in using his carpentry skills, planting flower beds, and doing lawn maintenance. Next, he was employed at Southwood Golf Course as part of the groundskeeping crew, again enjoying the outdoors, until his retirement. He enjoyed Winnipeg very much and appreciated his buddies with the police force and fire department with both hockey and curling. The “happy hours” spent together were an added plus.



He was very proud of his lovely daughter, Leanne and grandchild, Cooper, as well as his son, Kurtis and their families. With them he loved camping, going on cycling trips and especially spending time with them. He also was a tremendous support to his extended family in difficult times.



Ken is survived by his daughter, Leanne (Joe Harrison) Owens and grandson, Cooper, his son, Kurtis (Jenn) Owens; brother, John Owens; and sisters, Reta (Norman Beattie) Owens and Linda (Larry) Cox, together with many nieces and nephews, extended family. and close friends.



Ken was predeceased by his father, Howard Joseph Owens, mother, Margaret Jessie (nee Arnold) Owens, sisters, Shirley Merke and Marjorie Oldford, and brothers, Gerald and William, nieces, Cathy McLeod and Carol (Oldford) Fehr, plus nephews, Ronnie and Verne Merke.



A Celebration of Life will take place at the Oxford Heights Community Centre, 359 Dowling Avenue East, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All who knew Ken are invited to attend to share our memories and toast our loved one. Please RSVP to Larry and Linda Cox at 204-523-8551 or email landlcox@mymts.net

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 15, 2023