Dorothy Jean Owens, 90, of Austin, Minnesota, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin.

Dorothy Jean Osmonson was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Valda and Rufus Osmonson. She was the eldest of 11 children. Dorothy graduated from Austin High School in 1945. On June 12, 1948, she married Wandell Marvin Owens at Oakland Lutheran Church. Dorothy worked in banking as a bookkeeper and teller at Austin State Bank and later as an operations manager at Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo). She enjoyed traveling with her family and friends throughout the United States, vacationing in northern Minnesota, boating at Lake Pepin, gardening, bird watching, having coffee with friends, volunteering, collecting antiques, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the outdoors. Dorothy was active in many organizations throughout her life. She was an officer of the group, Business and Professional Women, and served for many years as a board member of the Austin Audubon Society. Additionally, she was a member of the Mower County Horticultural Society, the Hospital Auxiliary, various church organizations, and Friends of the J.C. Hormel Nature Center. For over 50 years she met monthly with her friends in her sewing club. In retirement Dorothy kept busy by volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the Izaak Walton League, assisting with educational programs at the J.C. Hormel Nature Center, and devoting much time and energy working for environmental causes, including Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability. Dorothy will be remembered by her friends and family for her quick wit, intelligence, generosity, and fearlessness.

She is survived by her children, Mark (Barbara) Owens of Austin, Minnesota, and Linda Sue (John) Rosema of Grand Haven, Michigan; her brother, James (Margaret Kirchener) Osmonson of Moscow, Minnesota; her brother, Dugar (Helen Matyas) Osmonson of Austin; her brother, Errol “Ozzie” Osmonson of Zapata, Texas; her brother, Craig Osmonson of Albert Lea; her sister, Marilyn (David) Wead of Mt. Eagle, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Jennifer Piscarcyzk, Molly Dixon, Jamie Patrick, and Eric Owens; and her great-grandchildren, Megan, Sarah, Caitlin, Riley, Joshua, Nicholas, Annika, Alex, Emily, and Noah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Valda and Rufus; her husband, Wandell in June 2001; her brothers, Donald, Duane, and Lowell; and two siblings in infancy.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 10, 2017, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, with the Rev. Karen Behling presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. She will be interred at the Oakwood Cemetery columbarium in Austin. Donations in her honor can be sent to Friends of the Hormel Nature Center, the Izaak Walton League, or an organization of the donor’s choice. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.