Kalei Willow-Marie Owen

Kalei was a water baby and started swimming on the Tiger Sharks at four years old. Basketball, soccer, cheerleading, softball, jet skiing, kayaking, singing, dancing, shopping, and loving others and animals were her biggest interests. She was also a wrestler letterman for the BHS Lady Tigers.

She had many nicknames like Nene, Sissy, Babydoll, and Sweetheart.

A graduate of Bentonville High School in 2023, she went on to college at NWACC. She wanted to work in a career that would help others.

Her witty sense of humor, empathy for others, caring, and loving nature were what Kalei was best known for.

She especially loved her 1992 Dodge Ram truck and could fix anything on it. She loved her tabby cat, Jack Jack, and all of the animals she raised over the years, from hermit crabs to parakeets. She loved Moxie, Chip Chip, and Bebe, our dogs.

We find comfort in knowing she accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized in 2019 in Hot Springs, AR.

She loved hugely and deeply and was loved just as much by all of us.

Kalei is survived by her mom, Melinda (Lindy) Owen; her godparent, aka G Daddy, Justin Eaton; her aunts and uncles, Laurie and Karl Kyhl; and her appointed aunt and uncle, Brittany and Don Hardcastle; the two ladies who were like aunts to her Jacqeline Mckinney and Rhonda Ward. She is also survived by her cousins, Conner and Greyson Kyhl; her best friend/auntie, Ronlisha Nochols; Andrea Hart and the never ending list of friends who loved her; and her beloved cat, Jack Jack.

Kalei was preceded in death by her father, William Wren II, and her grandmother, Mary Wren.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Kalei at The Ravington in Centerton, Arkansas on July 22nd from 3 PM – 6 PM.

Enchanted Designs of Bentonville is handling her flowers and plants.

Donations in Kalei’s honor can be made to Beyond a Step, an organization that gives back to our first responders, last responders, and our veterans: [email protected] and the Bentonville Lady Tigers Wrestling team.