Raymond A. Owens

Raymond Alden Owens, 91 of Columbus, WI, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Larson House.

Ray was born on April 25, 1935, along with his twin brother, Robert, at Lutheran Hospital, Sioux City, Iowa.

He attended school in Ute, IA.  After graduation, he worked on various farms before he and two brothers along with a few good friends joined the Military.  He joined the US Army and was stationed in San Francisco, CA from 1955-1957.

He met the love of his life, Barbara Kirchberg, while working at Cedar Rapids, IA, at a Radio Factory.  They married on October 19, 1957.  They started their marriage in Sun Valley, California.  They had two children, Michael and Pamela.  He worked at The National Gas Company in Los Angeles.  They moved to DeForest, WI, where he was employed at Sears as a Maintenance Repair Man.   After their retirement Ray and Barb moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas for many years before returning to Wisconsin.  Ray and his bride were married for 62 years, before Barb’s passing in 2019.

Ray had unwavering faith in our Lord and attended Church Services as often as possible. He instilled this faith in his family and cherished spending quality time with them.  Besides family, he enjoyed various activities such as playing basketball, softball and dartball as well as watching sports.  Although a Badger Fan, his favorite team has always been the Iowa Hawkeyes.   He also relished camping, traveling and “Happy Hour” with his Korbel Manhattans.

Ray is survived by his children, Michael (Nicole) Owens and Pamela (Roger) Timm; Grand-children; Joshua Timm (Ashley), Jacob (Jennifer) Timm, Joel Timm (Liz), Anthony (Cassie) Owens, Paige Owens (Johnny) and Echo Klemolin ; Great-Grandchildren; Jordan Owens, Michael Owens, Shay Timm, Cassius Timm and Amelia Timm; a brother Harold (Pat) Owens; two sisters, Mary Cunningham and Dona Colyer and many Nieces and Nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Elizabeth Owens; his wife, Barbara Owens; Brother & Sister-in law, Gordon and Ruth Owens, Brother and Sister-in-law, Robert and Lou Ann Owens; a sister and Brother-in-law, Beverly and Howard Uhl; and a sister and brother that died at infancy.

Dad “Papa,” we will always love you and cherish the wonderful memories with you, but we know Mom “Grammy” was waiting with her arms wide open for you in heaven.

It was Ray’s wish that no formal funeral services be held and cremation is to take place.

Ray’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to Linda and the hospice team at St. Croix as well as the Larson House for all their wonderful care and support.