Joanne Owens – 85 of Mitchell, formerly of Madison, passed away on February 15th, 2020 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Madison UMC with burial at Graceland Cemetery in Madison, SD. Visitation will be from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Friday at the Madison UMC in Madison with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Joanne Elaine (Kurtz) Owens was born July 27th, 1934 in rural Kingsley, Iowa to Emery and Murial (Alger) Kurtz. She attended rural grade schools in Plymouth county Iowa and attended 3 years of high school   in LeMars, Iowa, moving with her parents to rural Wentworth, SD in 1951. She graduated from Madison General Beadle High School in 1952.

On June 15th 1952 Joanne married Robert (Bob) O. Owens. Bob preceded her in death November 25, 1996. They operated a dairy farm east of Madison until moving into Madison September 17, 1987. In 2017, Joanne moved to Mitchell, SD into Avera Brady Nursing Home. Joanne worked for East River Electric from 1985-1997 and Johnson Jewelers from 1999-2010.

Joanne was an active member of the Madison United Methodist Church. She enjoyed volunteering there and singing in the choir, as well as volunteering at Bethel Lutheran Home and for the Red Cross.

Joanne loved to bake, and loved sharing her baked goods. She also enjoyed sewing and knitting.

Joanne is survived by 3 sons, Bill (Amber), Tucson AZ; Terry (Trini) Sunland CA; Joel (Deb) Mitchell SD and a daughter Cindy (Mike) Smith, Lakeview AR, son-in-law David Roseberry, CA and daughter-in-law Polly Skeggs, CO. 18 grandkids and 17 great grand kids. She also has a great grandson due this spring, who will be named Emery, after Joanne’s dad. Sister’s-in-law Phyllis Kurtz, CA; Mary Halter, MN, 2 nieces and 2 nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Bob, Son Eric, daughter Karen Roseberry, Parents, Brothers Gary, John and Jerry Kurtz and 2 grandsons Josh Smith and Scott Roseberry.

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