FALL RIVER--James Merlin "Jim" Owen age 69, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2016. He was born in Columbus on April 20, 1946 to Merlin W. and Bella (Rees) Owen. He grew up on a farm in Fountain Prairie Township near Fall River. He attended Columbus High School for 3 years and graduated from Watertown High School in 1964. He went on to school at Stout State University for two years, before joining the Air Force in 1967 for 4 years. He was stationed overseas to Adana, Turkey and Frankfurt , Germany where he met his soul mate, Dagmar I. Schwarz. They were married on May 30, 1972 in Chicago. Jim worked for International Harvester Co. in Waukesha, WI as a maintenance foreman for 10 years. He attended WCTI for two years in electronics, while working at IH. They moved from Delafield to Milwaukee and he went to work for Schlitz Brewing Co. as a millwright. After five years in Milwaukee, they moved back to their purchased farms in Fountain Prairie where they have lived ever since. They cash cropped the farm and both worked at ARA in Madison. Jim worked there as a master mechanic for two years. He then went to work for American Packaging Corp. in Columbus as a maintenance mechanic for 10 years. Then from there he was employed at MPI in Deerfield, WI, as a millwright and trained apprentices for 10 years. At the start of working for Enerpac, in Columbus, WI, Jim attended MATC for two years to complete courses in computer logic and Windows programs. After almost 9 years as a maintenance repairman/trainer he retired at the age of 65.
In 2000, Jim and Dagmar enrolled their farm in the Conservation Reserve Program and planted trees and native grasses. They enjoyed the benefits of seeing rare birds and wildlife. Over a lifetime, Jim with the help of his family built many things together, including a beautiful brick home on the end of Seier Road. Jim will be remembered for is his dedication to perfectionism. Survivors include Dagmar, wife of 43 years, two daughters, Annette L. (Dave) Geringer (grandson) Wyatt of Middleton, WI and Anastasia R.P. Owen of Readstown, WI, son, Adrian W. (Ling Wen) Owen (granddaughter) Athena and (grandson) Bryce of Taipei, Taiwan, mother, Bella Rees of Fall River, WI, brother John M. (Liliane) Owen of Germantown, WI; other relatives and friends.
A gathering for relatives and friends to pay tribute was held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Friday, January 22, 2016 at SAVANNA OAKS, 100 Savanna Road, Fall River. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.