Echo Owen

Heaven just got a whole lot jazzier and a lot more stylish with the passing of Echo Owen on Easter Sunday. Echo was famous for wearing hats for every occasion and so her family feels that it was only fitting that the Lord called her home on a day that is also famous for the wearing of hats. A Jazz band with some of her favorite musicians and a presentation of the most beautiful Easter bonnet ever probably met her at The Gates!

Echo was born in Dodge City Kansas on May 12,1933 to Gus and Eileen (Teenie) Bartlett. Echo’s early years were spent living and playing on the family farm in Fowler Kansas. Later on, they built a home in Dodge City to allow easier access to schools.

After high school Echo attended Colorado Women's College in Denver, and then on to Colorado A&M in Fort Collins where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Development, and later taught in Wellington Colorado. She met the love of her life Don when they were introduced by a mutual friend. They were married on August 27, 1955 in Dodge City. After a two year stay in Caldwell ID, Echo and Don moved to Longmont Colorado so that Don could start his veterinary practice. In addition to helping Don in many ways with the Vet clinic, Echo bred and raised a multitude of Miniature Long Haired Dachshunds and was very active in the AVMA Auxiliary. She loved the fundraising auctions and always donated the best “baskets” for bidding.

Echo had a wide range of interests that kept her and Don busier than most people half their age. They loved jazz music and spent a lot of time traveling to festivals all over the country including many trips aboard jazz cruise ships. The music always drew them to the dance floor and her family and friends all have many memories of them cutting the rug to their favorite songs. Echo was active in many community groups, including PEO, book club, M&M Dance Club, Red Hat Club and Kids Hope mentoring. But three things were always the most important-her love of the Lord, her church, and her grandchildren. Echo loved her church and started attending First Christian Church (now LifeBridge Christian Church) when it was ‘The Little White Church’ on Coffman Street. Until her death she attended services, remained active in Bible study, and always had a welcoming smile at the front door as a greeter.

Echo's family and especially her grandchildren were perhaps her greatest treasure. She never missed, if possible, any of their performances, sporting events, birthdays, or holidays and always made them feel special and loved. She was especially happy if she had the grandkids at her home for pool parties, dress up parties (with many hats to choose from) and tea parties. To say that Echo will be greatly missed by her family and her countless friends is an understatement.

Echo was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gailand and her daughter Marci Dawn.

Echo is survived by her husband of 66 years Don Owen, her children Scott Owen (Terri), Shari Neiswanger (Jeff) and Lori Payne (David). She is also survived by her grandchildren Sam Owen (Keegan), Kate Owen, Sydney Chamness (Taylor), Haley Payne, Ivy Neiswanger and Grace Neiswanger. Great grandchildren Layla Owen, Morrison Owen, and Denver Mae Chamness.

A celebration for Echo will be held on Monday May 2 at LifeBridge Christian Church 10345 Ute Highway, Longmont CO 80504 at 11:00 am. The service will be followed by a luncheon at the church.

We would like to encourage everyone to wear a hat if you have one, and don’t hesitate to accessorize!

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Pearl Promise https://pearlpromise.org or A Women’s Work https://awomanswork.org

You can join the funeral service by logging into www.ckpmediaservices.com/live on Monday, May 2 at 11:00am.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Owen family.