Robert "Bob" Owens

Robert E. Owens, 61, of Viola, Wis., passed away peacefully after a lingering illness at home on Monday, June 6, 2022. He was born to Willard "Bill" E. Owens and Arlene D. Foote, in Bad Cannstatt of Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He moved with his family to Grants Pass, Ore., where they spent several years until his grandfather passed and left them his house in Hebron, Wis. He attended high school in Fort Atkinson, Wis., where he met his future wife, Lynette. He went into the Army in 1978. He specialized in computer hardware and training military dogs. He also attended MATC and received a degree in welding. Robert and Lynette were married on May 1, 1981, in Fort Atkinson. Their son, Reo, was born in 1982. They lived in Fort Atkinson until 1987, when they moved to Washington and Oregon for several years. They returned to Wisconsin in 1992, and resided in the Viola area since that time. Before leaving for the western U.S., he worked with his father-in-law, Glenn Howell, at carpentry and construction. After their return from "out west", he started his own construction business, which he operated until 2006. He then worked for Matthes Farms until his health interfered with the physical labor. Bob loved the outdoors and teaching survival skills. He enjoyed tinkering with things; he built an oscilloscope using the knowledge he gained while in the service. He loved to write stories and poetry, and he adored drawing "phunts." He was always helpful and giving to those in need. Robert E. Owens is survived by his wife Lynette (Howell); his son, Reo (Nicole Pedrick) and honorary step-grandson Gavin of Cambridge, Wis.; siblings: Steven (Julie) of Guston, Ky., Brian (Doris) of Cedar Park, Texas, David of Ontario, Wis., and Doris (Michael) Hamby of Fort Atkinson, Wis.; brother and sister-in-law, Loren and Bonnie (Howell) Sherman of La Farge, Wis. and their children Shaun Sherman of La Farge, Kevin (Cari) Sherman, of Viola, and Rachel (Chad) Graves and Jordyn and Jacob, of La Farge, all of whom he spent much time with through the years; his honorary son, Travis Bethke and honorary grandson Simon Bethke, of Viola. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father- and mother-in-law Glenn and Karen (Carlson) Howell; brother-in-law, Denis Howell with whom he spent much time; and his special friend Jeanie Bethke. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help cover expenses. There will be no formal service. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. at his home in Viola, Wis., for any who would like to celebrate his life with us. Vosseteig Larson Funeral Home and Crematory in Viroqua is serving Bob's family. 123 W. Decker Street Viroqua, WI 54665 (608) 637-2100