Mourning Gary Owen: Winnebago's beloved undertaker dies

Mourning Gary Owen: Winnebago's beloved undertaker dies

On June 24, 2025, Gary Robert Owen, age 81, died at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato. Born in Winnebago, Minnesota, Owen leaves a significant legacy as a respected funeral director and advocate for grieving families. His life's journey, marked by dedication and compassion, will be celebrated July 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Spencer Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago. Burial is planned at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Gary Owen was born on April 5, 1944 to Dwarn “Bud” and Doris (Claeys) Owen. He attended Winnebago High School and earned a degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota. His career as an undertaker began in 1970, influenced by his father-in-law Victor Spencer, who also worked in the industry. Owen, who conducted funerals for 39 years and ran the Spencer Owen Funeral Home until his retirement in 2009, was known for his tireless service during difficult times for the bereaved. He carried out around 55 funerals a year, with December often being particularly busy as many people are affected by the stress of the holiday.

A life full of devotion

Gary Owen has witnessed the evolution of the funeral industry first hand throughout his career. In recent decades there has been a significant increase in cremations and an increasing demand for individualized funeral services. This is reflected in the trend of funeral directors becoming more responsive to families' needs, which was central to Owen. “Personal connections with families make each funeral more meaningful,” he said in an earlier report.

The industry has changed a lot; While in 1970 95% of undertakers were men, this proportion fell to 43% by 2007 and is currently only around 25% of graduates of the specialist company. This shift is also evident in the work of Sara Van Waus, a graduate of Mortuary Science, who will take over the management of the Spencer Owen Funeral Home after Owen's retirement. Van Waus is part of a trend that shows increasing female participation in the industry, as 68% of her fellow students were women.

Family left behind and legacy

Gary Owen is survived by three children - Kelly (James) Klegstad, Ryan Owen and Adam (Dawn) Owen - as well as several grandchildren, including Ryan Owen and Micah Klegstad, and siblings David (Judy) Owen and Chuck (Nancy) Owen. His life's work and the support he provided to many families will continue to be remembered in the Winnebago community. Owen is survived by his late wife Julie and his parents.

His approach and the changes he experienced during his career in the funeral industry have redefined expectations for funeral directors and paved the way for future generations. Web tributes may be left at the Spencer Owen Funeral Home website: www.SpencerOwen.com.