Michael Robert Owen

Following a courageous battle with cancer, Michael Robert Owen, 81, departed this life on March 5, 2025, with his wife of 50 years by his side. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 10, at Peace Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Visitation will take place from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday at the church. Inurnment will be delayed to accommodate the opening of the new veterans' cemetery in Grand Island. Pastor Carl Eliason will be officiating. All Faiths Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Suggested donations are to Peace Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran School/Heartland Lutheran High School (the future Grand Island Lutheran Schools). Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com. Mike was born on January 5th, 1944, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Cecil and Vivian (Thompson) Owen. He was raised in Grand Island and was a member of the Central Catholic High School class of 1962. Following high school, Mike joined the Air Force "to see the world". The military had other plans for him, however, as he was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha for the entirety of his four years of service. Regardless, Mike was a proud veteran and humbly took his place on an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. Upon returning to Grand Island from Offutt, Mike was employed by New Holland. After approximately 35 years, including a transfer to and from Leola, Pennsylvania, he retired from the purchasing department and enjoyed a variety of jobs until his complete retirement from the work force. Mike married the late Laurel Julius on December 3, 1966. They were blessed with a son (Kenny) and a daughter (Kimberly). On April 27, 1974, Mike and Carol were married and were blessed with one daughter (Amber). Mike was a very kind and gentle man with a subtle (but funny) sense of humor. He didn't like to miss a church service. He and Carol were charter members of Peace Lutheran and remained active through the years. He also loved a good family reunion and playing cards with friends. His faith, family and friends were of primary importance in his life. As the biggest fan of his grandkids, Mike and Carol enjoyed every sporting and musical event they could take in, near and far. Mike could always be seen in the stands keeping stats. The family would have loved to see him in the stands watching Cross County at the state boys' basketball tournament this year, but that was not to be. In his spare time, Mike enjoyed reading and yardwork. He was also a railroad (real and model) enthusiast. He loved the history of trains. A favorite memory was watching the BIG BOY (Union Pacific steam engine) with Kenny, as it pulled through Kearney. He delighted in watching his grandkids enjoy the extensive rail set up in his basement train room. Those left to mourn his passing are his wife, Carol (Katzberg); son, Kenny (Carla) Owen of Kearney; daughters, Kimberly (Steve) Stebbing of Henderson and Amber (Danny) Seim of Stromsburg; 14 grandchildren - Jarod Owen and Sydney Owen of Kearney, Alexandra (Aaron) McClellan of Cleveland, OH, Annalee (Will) Bamesberger of Phillips, Brennan (Miranda) Stebbing of Tampa Bay, FL, Jackson Stebbing of Lincoln, Abigael, Ava, Andilyn and Ryker Stebbing of Henderson, and Carter, Ashton, Benson and Graham Seim of Stromsburg; two great-grandchildren - Weston Bamesberger and Hadley McClellan; brothers John Owen, Bill Owen, Bob Owen and Dr. David (Amy) Owen; sisters Barbara Schirkofsky, Janet (Clem) Ward and Marilyn (Tim) Hiller; numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Vivian Owen; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Schirkofsky and Dan Hulitt. 1 Corinthians 15:54

Michael Robert Owen

January 5, 1944 - March 5, 2025

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Michael Robert Owen

January 5, 1944 - March 5, 2025

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support