Elsie Owen

Elsie Irene Crow Owen, 88, of Ammon, Idaho, passed away May 20, 2017, at her home. Her family stayed with her day and night as she grew weaker. She expressed gratitude many times that she could stay at home where she had lived for so many years. Elsie was born September 8, 1928, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Walter Newton Crow and Margaret Vilate Allen Crow. She grew up on the family farm east of Ammon. She had many happy memories of riding horses, playing with her brothers and sisters and helping with chores around the house. She learned to work as a child, and she passed that trait on to her children and her grandchildren. She also learned to garden, can and sew, skills that came in handy raising six children. She attended school in Ammon and graduated from Ammon High School. Education was important to her and she encouraged her children to do their best in school. After graduation, she worked at "the telephone company" (Mountain Bell) where she made lifelong friends. On September 23, 1950, she married Russell Kenneth Owen in Ammon, Idaho. Their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in December of 1976. They were blessed with six children, Rick, Randy, Peggy, Ken, Loni and Lori (or "the twins" as they were commonly known). Elsie and Russell made their home in Ammon. Their house had one bathroom and three girls, and Russell, on more than one occasion, went down to the church to shave when everyone was trying to get ready to leave the house at the same time. Elsie was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker and loved caring for her family. Her children were her legacy and she was proud of their every accomplishment. Russell passed away August 6, 2012. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was proud of her pioneer heritage. She served in Primary, Relief Society, and she especially enjoyed the time she and Russell spent as ward librarians. She enjoyed singing and sang with several choirs. She was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching baseball and basketball. She was always optimistic, and almost always disappointed by her favorite teams, but that never deterred her from watching the games. She was thrilled when a granddaughter and grandson helped her travel to Seattle at age 85 where she attended her first major league baseball game. It was the night the Mariners paid tribute to Ken Griffey Junior, one of her favorite players. She enjoyed bowling and bowled in an afternoon woman’s league once her children were all in school. She especially enjoyed taking their camper and later their trailer to Buffalo Campground (often with a couple of grandchildren) where they would ride their bikes, play games with their grandchildren and camping friends, and enjoyed the cool night air. After Russell retired from the Post Office, they often spent winters in Arizona where they made many friends. They were always busy with some project, but never too busy to visit when family and friends came by. Elsie was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and her children and grandchildren cherish the beautiful quilts she made and gave to them. She was generous with her time and taught her daughters, daughters-in-law and many young mothers how to sew, can and garden. Her life was a legacy of service and friendship, and in her last few weeks she was so happy to see and visit with many of her dear friends. Her neighbors, some of whom she had known for decades, were so kind and helped take such good care of her as well. Elsie is survived by her son, Rick L. (Dalene) Owen of Idaho Falls, ID, son, Randy K (Val) Owen of Idaho Falls, ID, daughter, Peggy (Doug) Taylor of Idaho Falls, ID, son, Ken R. (Wendy) Owen of Ammon, ID, daughter, Loni Wilson of Spanish Fork, UT, daughter, Lori (Doug) May of Payson, UT, 20 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; siblings, Joseph Orval Crow, Emma Iretta Crow, Julius LaVerl Crow, Leland Avon Crow, Allen Crow, Elma Naomi Crow Brandon, Odetta Crow Sessions; and a grandson and his wife, Seth and Jessica Owen. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at the Ammon LDS 6th Ward, 2150 Avocet Avenue, with Bishop Dan Smith officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held