Virginia Lee Owens

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of sixty nine years, R. Marvin Owens, and her daughter, Karen Lee Pletz. She is survived by her daughters Susan Lee Dasta, DO, of Kansas City, MO, Leslie A. Owens, of St. Louis, MO, her son in law, John S. Pletz, of Jefferson City, MO, her grandchildren, Brittany Elizabeth Marten, of Chicago, IL, Casey Lee Pletz, of Kansas City, MO, Vincent Paul Dasta, of Chicago, IL, and Sara Virginia Howard, of Seattle, WA, as well as by her great grandchildren, Alexandra Elizabeth Marten, Olivia Mae, Anna Joy, and Evan Vincent Dasta, and Rory Patrick Howard.

Ginny was born on November 6th, 1920, in Cabool, MO, to James W. and Ruth Harmon. She graduated from Christian College (now Columbia College) in 1941, and received a BS in Education from the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1943. Following her graduation, she accepted a teaching position in Sullivan, MO, where she met her future husband. She and Marve were married in Cabool, MO, on August 21st, 1945. They began their married life in Pensacola, FL, where Marve was serving as a naval aviation instructor at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Following his discharge from service, they returned to Columbia briefly, then spent several years in Kansas City, MO, where their three daughters were born. In 1954, Marve and Ginny, and their family, returned to Columbia permanently.

Ginny was a longtime and active member of the Cecile Circle of King’s Daughters, and an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association, serving a term as President of that organization.

Ginny will be remembered by her family, and those who knew and loved her, for her quiet, gentle strength, generosity of spirit, and for her grace and fortitude in the face of adversity. Most of all, she will be remembered for the constant and unwavering love of family that she exemplified throughout her life and marriage.

Visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Home, on Friday, October 23rd, 2015, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.