Delbert 'Dub' Harry Owens, 78

Delbert Harry "Dub" Owens, 78, died in his sleep on Dec. 29, 2004, at his home in Columbia Falls.

He was born Sept. 6, 1926, in Kalispell, to Alice and Harry Owens. He graduated from high school in Eureka. He served in the Air Force in 1945 as an airplane and engine mechanic in the Philippines. He attended college in Missoula, worked at his dad's creamery in Eureka, delivered butter in Plains, and worked building the highway between Eureka and Canada. He worked building the bridge across the Kootenai River, worked at the Kennedy and Stevens Sawmill. He was a Fuller Brush salesman and worked at the aluminum plant.

Delbert was a good, honest, hard-working man, a great father and a wonderful husband. In the last few weeks before lung cancer took him, he was lovingly and gently cared for by his children, his granddaughter and Hospice. His family members ask that all donations please be sent to Hospice as it is a wonderful program.

Delbert was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Betty June Owens; his father, Harry Morgan Owens; and his mother, Alice Marie Douglas Owens.

He is survived by his two daughters, Sue Norman and husband, Tom, of Lewistown, and Debra Owens of Kalispell; two sons, David Owens and Robert Owens and wife, Cynthia, all of Columbia Falls; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; his two brothers, Keith and Jack Owens; and two sisters, Ginger Owens and Mary Alice Rein.

Cremation was at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. There will be a informal potluck memorial luncheon for family and friends at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, in the basement of the Eagles Club across from Mike's Conoco on U.S. 2 in Columbia Falls.