“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Dick Owens passed away unexpectedly at his home (Edgemont, SD) June 11, 2025. Dick truly knew that it was more blessed to give than to receive. His generosity knew no limits. Dick was a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather and was known to be a beautiful soul who would help anyone. Second to his giving loving heart and raucous laugh/giggle are his jokes and storytelling. Everyone who encountered Dick walked away with a new joke or story and some were even lucky enough to walk away with a dollar bill ring. His love for the outdoors, fishing, helping his friends with anything on their ranch from electrical fixes, to cooking to auctioneering- if you needed it, Dick could do it.
Dick and sister Jo Anne rodeoed throughout high school and in 1962 he won a World Championship in Bareback Bronc Riding at the Little Britches World Championship in Littleton, CO. After graduating from Newcastle (WY) High School in 1968, Dick worked construction and sheep shearing before pursuing the job with Burlington Northern. At an early age, Dick found his voice and he continued to use his gift on stage, best known for his role in the Southern Comfort band back in the 80’s (singing, sound man, and self-taught guitarist) but was always known to sing a little ditty to a passerby. His guitar was at every get together and he’d perform any request that was made.
It’s hard to believe that with all this filling up his life, Dick had a regular day job. He joined the BNSF team as a Systems Electrician in 1975 and was a dedicated employee until his retirement in December of 2011. His time as an electrician and an exempt officer was full of electrical and technical innovations especially, on the Northwest Division bridges and created the design of the exhaust system in the Cascade Tunnel. The friendships he made during this time have lasted years and he held all those coworkers near and dear to his heart.
Dick is survived by the woman he adored, Kristy Owens, who shared 49 glorious years of marriage. He is also survived by his children: Milisa (Rick) Palmer of Riverton, WY; Heath (Brooke) Owens of Alliance, NE, and Kassidy Owens of Alliance, NE. His two sisters: JoAnne Owens-Nauslar (Red) of Lincoln, NE, and Milinda (Cliff) Wineteer of Chadron, NE. He is also survived by his grandchildren Connor Lund, Hayley Owens, Rickey and Lexy Palmer and Allison, Hunter and Riley Owens.
He was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Owens (Newcastle, WY) his father Lavern Busskohl (Custer, SD) and his brother-in-law Raymond “Red” Nauslar (Lincoln, NE).
A celebration of life will be held at the Catholic Parish Hall in Edgemont, SD on June 16th from 2-4 pm. Please come do Dick right by telling stories and jokes you remember. Any donations can be sent in care of Heath Owens to 1135 W. 14th Alliance, NE 69301.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will not longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelations 21:4.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.