Howard Warren Owens died peacefully in Spearfish, SD on January 4, 2024. He lived a fascinating and fulfilling 97 years. Howie, as his friends called him, was born July 26, 1926, to Dottie and Garrett Owens in New Underwood, SD, where he spent his early childhood years living on the family homestead. His father provided for the family during the Great Depression by buying cattle from local ranchers and shipping them to the Rice Brothers Livestock Exchange in Sioux City, Iowa. When Howie was nine, his father received the appointment of Superintendent of Custer State Park.  Howie loved living in the park and guiding tourists on his Shetland pony.

Howie moved through his early education quickly in a one-room schoolhouse, completing the first eight grades by the time he was 11. His toughness and resourcefulness throughout life were likely sparked by being the youngest and smallest boy in his class at Sturgis High School.

When he entered Yankton College in 1942 at age 16, Howie was one of only a handful of male students who were not yet eligible to enlist in the military. He met Elaine Weidenbach during his freshman year, and they began a courtship that resulted in marriage two years later and lasted until her death in 2019. They had three children - Sandy born in 1944, Gregg in 1947, and Chery in 1950.

On his 18th birthday, Howie enlisted in the Navy and was sent first to Chicago, and then Corpus Christi, Texas, to train as a radar technician. However, the war ended before he ever boarded a ship. After being discharged in 1946, Howie went to work for the livestock exchange in Sioux City where his father had sent cattle years before. He began in the cattle pens, but quickly moved into sales and became a top salesman.

Howie's father had been running an automotive parts business in Sturgis and, in 1950, asked Howie to join him. Howie obliged, relocating his young family to the Black Hills, and lived there for the next 73 years. Over the years, the family business went through many iterations - it always sold automotive parts, but other products ranged from new cars to appliances to veterinarian supplies and more. Today, his grandson, Chad, runs Owens Interstate Sales.

Howie was always very passionate about education. He finished his college education by attending Black Hills State part-time after returning to Sturgis, graduating with degrees in speech and education. Howie's dream job was teaching high school, but given he was already running a business and raising three young children, he couldn't make it happen. Instead, he supported vocational education, served on the state Board of Regents, did some substitute teaching, and gave a generous endowment to Black Hills State University.

He was equally passionate about being involved in the community. Howie felt it was important to be engaged, rather than sit back and hope someone else would get it right. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Rotary Club, and the SD Republican Party.

Howie worked hard, but he played hard, too. He and Elaine were avid golfers and bridge players, loved to dance, and enjoyed socializing with their many friends. The door to their home was always open, especially for cocktail hour. Howie had a beautiful voice and sang in barbershop quartets for decades. He could still be heard singing just weeks before his death.

Howie was extremely curious and constantly strived to learn new things. During family visits, it was common for conversations to last long into the night. He and Elaine had wonderful adventures traveling the world. Most notably, they took a two-month trip around the world in 1977, which he chronicled weekly in the Sturgis Tribune.

Howie was a true pillar in the community - most people in Sturgis and Spearfish knew him.  Howie believed in keeping a positive attitude, meeting challenges head-on, and striving to be the best you can be. He always told us, "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well." And he practiced what he preached!

We will greatly miss Howie's hearty laughter, his passion for life, and his boundless energy.

Howard is survived by his two daughters: Sandy Farrow and Chery Owens, both living in California; his five grandchildren: Chad Owens, Tracy Ponto, Brekk Bailey, Genevieve Hall, and Austin Freeman; and his six great-grandchildren: Shae & Jace Owens; Luke, Owen, and Samantha Ponto; and Skyla Hall. His wife, Elaine; his brother, Lisle; and his son, Gregg, preceded him in passing. His family expresses much appreciation to Tamra Kahl for her years of friendship and caretaking for Howie.

His daughters look forward to hosting a celebration of life for both of their parents next summer in Spearfish.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com