Christine L. Owens, age 73, died on January 10th, 2024 at her residence surrounded by family and friends. Christine was born on July 24th, 1950 to a loving family in Sandusky, Ohio. During her childhood, she spent time in Ohio, Florida, and Alabama before enlisting in the Air Force in 1968. Christine served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, where she met Thomas (Tom) J. Owens Jr., whom she married on May 16th, 1970. She enjoyed and thrived in her military service, and quickly attained the rank of Sgt. Soon after, Tom and Christine welcomed their first child, daughter Tracy, in 1971. Christine completed her time as an active-duty service member and turned her attention to the growing family. Tom and Christine added two sons, Timothy in 1975 and Thomas in 1983. They continued their journey as a military family, with assignments taking them across the globe from Japan to Colorado and including stops in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Germany along the way.
Christine was a loving and dedicated Wife, Mother, Grandmother (“Grandma”), Great-Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, and Friend. As a military service member and spouse, Christine understood the need to adapt and persevere. She embraced new challenges and made lifelong friendships along the way. She and Tom worked hard to provide for their kids and give them opportunities to pursue various extra-curricular activities. Christine also found joy in working in the special education field, developing strong bonds with many students, parents, and staff over the years.
Christine is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Thelma Teague, and her husband, Tom, to whom she was married for 49 years. They served their country, raised a family together, and now rest peacefully together. Christine and Tom are survived by their three children, Tracy (Chris) Fries, Tim (Joy) Owens, and Tom (Megan) Owens, ten grandchildren – Christoffer (Kristin), Brendon (Erin), Noah, Emma, Sophia, Ava, Jonah, Teah, Matthew and Michael, and two great-grandchildren – Rylee and Christoffer.
Christine is also survived by a large and loving extended family in her hometown of Huron, Ohio as well a community of beloved friends from her military family and the many years she dedicated to working in public education.
A funeral service will be held on January 30th, 2024 at 9:30am, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service at Bowman Funeral located at 10254 W. Carlton Bay, Garden City, Idaho with military honors to follow at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or Ronald McDonald House.