Harold Edward Owens

Harold E Owens, 75, of Hill City, SD and formerly of North Platte, NE, passed away Sunday, July 6th in Rapid City. Harold was born January 28, 1939 in Stockville, NE, to Richard and Willa (Arent) Owens. In 1957 he graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture and Milford Technical College in Milford, NE. Harold was inducted into the US Army in 1961 and later joined the Army National Guard and then began working in a Civil Service capacity. He was very proud of his 28 years of military life. He was soldier of the year, three different times. He always said the military gave him strength and honor. Harold was an avid black powder shooter and had built many of his guns. He always enjoyed working with his hands, and made a lot of the furniture in their home. In 1995 he began working for K-9 Kondo, for Joe and Judy Shown. It was a special time. In 1999 he retired from this work and he and his wife Mary began a new adventure. They purchased a wonderful log home in Hill City, SD and Harold started working for the ‘1880 Train’, retiring after 10 years. He has been a brave and kind man, who battled “Hairy Cell Leukemia” for nine years and ten months ago it attacked with full force. Harold is survived by the love of his life of 52 years, Mary; his daughter Tonya Elaine and her husband Max Long, Glade, KS; granddaughter Brenna and husband Cole Malmberg, Charlottesville, VA; grandson Skye C. Long, Spearville, KS; two sisters Patricia and husband Russ Wood, Cambridge, NE; Shirley Owens, McCook, NE; brother John and wife Bernita, Stockville, NE; half-sister Ruth Hines, Yuma, AZ; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Melvin and Susan Suedekum, Mesa, AZ; brother-in-law Tom Johnson; special cousins, Ted and MaryLou Hosick, Cambridge, NE; special nieces and nephews and their families; his cousins and many friends who have helped us so very much. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Bonny Jane Owens, his parents, his half-brother Lyle, nephew Rick Gardner; and his mother and father-in-law Dave and Helen Johnson. Harold requested no formal funeral service. He just wanted everyone to enjoy family time together. A memorial has been established to benefit the Hill City EMTs’.Harold was lifted by angels-to his final resting place. I Hold You In My Heart. . . . . . .Philippians 1:7