Tee Owens

Thomas Tee Lauren Owens, age 83, a life-long resident of Lake Crystal, died Saturday, November 13, 2004 at the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 18, 2004 at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Crystal, with Rev. Randal Lubbers officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and also one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Thomas Tee Lauren Owens was born August 8, 1921 to Tom and Esther (Thomas) Owens. He was united in marriage to Catherine Catie Jones on February 6, 1943 in San Bernardino, California. Tee served in the 531st Anti-aircraft artillery battalion of the US Army attached to the 30th Infantry through the entire European Campaign. He returned to Lake Crystal in October 1945, where he owned and operated Owens Red Owl from 1946-1967. In 1968, he became a real estate broker and operated Owens Realty. He sold the business in 1978, but continued working part-time for several years.

Tee served on the school board during consolidation and building of the Lake Crystal High School, was one of a group who built and operated the Lake Crystal Health Care Center, and was involved in the Welsh Acres housing development. Tee was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Crystal, a 50 year member of American Legion Post 294 and Bethel Lodge, as well as Osman Temple of the Shrine. Tee was also a life member of the Minnesota Historical Society and the Blue Earth County Historical Society, as well as various other business and professional organizations during his working years.

Tee is survived by his wife, Catie of Lake Crystal; two sons, Ronald and his wife, Barbara, of St. Paul, and Richard of rural Lake Crystal; five grandchildren, Jeanette (Eric) Lahm of Pittsburgh, PA, Michelle Owens of Denver, CO, James Owens of St. Paul, Jennifer Owens of Madison, WI, and Jackson Rachlin of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; three great-grandchildren, Christopher Owens of Madison, WI, Ellie and Keegan Lahm of Pittsburgh, PA; two sisters, Lois Beasley of Longview, TX, and Janet Schickling of Mankato; two sisters-in-law, Bette Rademacher and Grace Rawson, both of Mankato; one aunt, Alta Thomas of Lake Crystal; also many nieces, nephews, and cousins.