Mary Evelyn Joens (Owens), age 77, daughter of Glen Melvin Owens and Maude Marie Alma (Stark) Owens was born Aug. 19, 1942, in Doniphan, Mo. She passed away on Nov. 4, 2019, in her treasured home at Hog Creek Farms, Houston, Mo. After a courageous battle against cancer, God came to take her safely home, where she smiles down on us today.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, sister, Glenda (Owens) Dickenson, and brother, James Owens. She is survived by her husband of 58 years Robert (Bob) Joens; eldest daughter, Angie Gettys (Scott); eldest son, Mike (Pi) Joens of Houston; and younger sons, Jon (Cheryl) Joens, and David (Tina) Joens of Minneapolis, Minn.; her grandchildren, Corey, Crystal, Jeff Gettys (Jessica), Jordyn; and great-grandchildren, Jenna and Josh; as well as her many nieces and nephews.
Mary grew up in Willow Springs, her family were loggers, and they followed work from Colorado to Oregon and back to Willow Springs, Mary considered this her home base. She graduated from Willow Springs High School in 1960. Some of her accomplishments from her school years was being a Popcorn Queen and a Soda Jerk.
She married Bob Joens on April 15, 1961 and continued her life celebration not only in the United States but overseas in Germany at Butzbach Army Base. After living the life of a Forester Ranger’s Wife in Fredericktown and Potosi, Mo.; Cass Lake, Minn.; Houston, Mo.; Athens, Ohio; Duluth, Minn. and Washington, D.C., she then retired to Houston, Mo., in 1994.
Mary had a myriad of careers. She was a cashier, secretary and food coordinator of large wildfires for the U.S. Forest Service and the state of Minnesota. Mary’s most cherished job was being a wife and mother to her family, she would spoil them with puffy French toast, homemade chocolate syrup and stories about furry kitten.
Mary was known for her creative talents that she shared with so many. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafting, cooking, antiquing, quilting and in her later years making projects from wool.
Mary was a founding member of the Piney River Quilt Guild, she also held offices with the Chippewa National Forest Wives Club (Chippewa Chicks), U.S. Army Officer Wives Club – Germany, Blue Nose Stump Jumpers Snowmobile Team and the Houston Methodist Church.
Mary grew up with very humble beginnings and was able to help those around her appreciate the littlest things in life. She would spread her joy by helping others learn a craft, build their self-esteem, decorate a space to enhance an event or speak to an organization on its merits. Mary’s ability to find beauty in the littlest things was obvious in her love of antiques and the way she would find ways to showcase her treasures. Mary was easy to love and loving of others, which was evident in the many friendships she formed and the number of organizations she participated in. She will be remembered by many in countless ways.
Memorials may be made to the Piney River Quilt Guild or Texas County Hospice of Care. Online condolences may be expressed at www.evansfh.com.
Services were 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at Houston United Methodist Church with Greg Berglund officiating. Burial was in Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were: Curt Owens, Pete Owens, Matthew Owens, Josh Owens, Shawn Owens, Kenny Owens, Donivan Owens and Mason Owens.
PAID