Barbara Sue Owens passed away on May 15, 2011 after a long battle with cancer.  Barbara was born on October 31, 1920 to Nicholas and Daisy Dessert.  In 1941 Barbara attended a USO dance that would change the course of her life.  On that evening she met a man named Jasper 'Jack' Owens and boldly asked him to dance.  Their dance lasted 66 years when just a little over a year ago he passed away peacefully in his own home.

Barbara worked in a clothing factory as a seamstress, and this is where her passion for design emanated from.  Throughout the following years she held many jobs from working at dress shops to creating beautiful window displays for major department stores.  Barbara always found that one job that would allow her to express herself through her designs.  She volunteered for many years at the Twin Cities Hospital gift shop and enjoyed her time with the ladies there.  Her greatest passion overall was being a mother and a wife and she did both with enduring passion.

Barbara and Jack were married in 1943.  Together they raised two children while living throughout California.  Santa Ynez, Pasadena, and Costa Mesa are just a few of the places that they resided in.  With their children grown, Barbara and Jack moved to Atascadero over 25 years ago and built a home together.  Years later they moved to Templeton and finally settled in Paso Robles.  Barbara loved living in these small towns and the dear friends she met along the way.  Over the years she attended many bible studies and her faith was very important to her.  Her family is grateful for all the many friends that have walked beside Barbara in her last difficult years.

Barbara is survived by a son, Mark Owens of San Clemente, California; three granddaughters, Michele Tappeiner of Santa Barbara, Stephanie Wilcox of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Madison Owens of Garden Grove; and six great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, her daughter Karen, and husband Jack.  Barbara Sue Owens will be remembered by many as a woman who had great faith, incredible presence, and a will to fight.

Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home, 2011