David J. Owens

David J. Owens

(January 2, 1949 - November 28, 2024)

David Joseph Owens, 75, of Stevens Point, WI, died on November 28, 2024, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

David was born on January 2 in Brooklyn, New York to Arthur Raymond Owens and Elizabeth "Betty" White Donnen Owens. His childhood was spent in Baldwin, Long Island, New York where he attended St. Christopher's Elementary School. He graduated with honors from Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York in 1967. As a high school graduate, he took the opportunity to travel to Germany for the summer where he developed his love of castles and German beer. During that time, he was employed at Schwarzkopf Shampoo factory.

Upon his return to the States in 1967, David moved to Wisconsin to attend Marquette University where he worked as a part-time guard at the dormitories.  He was also a member or ROTC Seven years later, he graduated with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery in June of 1974.  He excelled at fine crafts, and during dental school, he did lab work for an area dentist. During his adventures in Milwaukee, he met Mary Skroch. They hit it off, and a year later, got married at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on April 3, 1971. Subsequently, they enjoyed 53 years of wedded life together.

Upon graduation from Marquette Dental School, David, Mary, and their first child, Katherine, moved to Stevens Point, WI where Dave had heard from former Marquette classmate, Tom Petersen, that there was a need for dentists. He started his small dental practice at 1501 Plover Street where he shared the building with his dental school friend. Eventually, in 1985, he purchased the building on Wyatt Avenue where he continued to practice dentistry until he retired in 2014, when his daughter, Sally, took over the business. He was beloved in his role as a dentist. He made his patients feel at ease with his genuinely calm and kind demeanor.

David and Mary had four children: Kate Pexa, Sally Owens, Anne Owens, and Ed Owens. David was a kind and patient teacher, role model, and a lighthearted companion to his children. He was a reliable and loving father who proudly led his family.

David was very industrious. He was continually working on projects. His masterful wood working skills kept him occupied with endless crafting projects. He mastered fine woodworking skills such as decorative wooden inlaying, and dovetailing. He also kept a large vegetable garden. The bags of extra produce were a welcome gift to anyone who was on the receiving end.

He was a longtime friend of the Soo Line Steam Engine 2713 that can be seen near the Business 51 underpass in Stevens Point. As a boy, he, his brothers and father harbored a fascination with trains, and he expressed this interest in helping to maintain the steam engine to allow future generations to experience the wonder of its history and foundational technology.

David loved being active in the outdoors.  He was often seen on his bicycle around Stevens Point. He loved cruising along the Green Circle Trail, or out on the country roads where he might make a stop at the Polonia Cafe for a snack. He also participated in Walk Wisconsin almost every year. When his son Ed was young, David enjoyed mentoring boy scouts, which of course brought him outside for camping and outdoor crafting activities. He served as a leader for his son's troop, and helped many scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

He enjoyed traveling for leisure. Amongst many other destinations, he visited the Eileen Donan Castle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland where he felt a familial connection on his mother's side. He scuba dived in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, visited the Vatican in Rome, and hiked in the Grand Canyon.

David's compassion and generosity were evident when he donated a kidney to his brother John. At age 68, he was the oldest living organ donor that the Yale Medical Hospital in Connecticut had ever allowed.

All who had the pleasure of knowing David will remember his warm, welcoming, personality.  He was truly a wonderful man.

In David's memory, in lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Engine 2713 Fund through the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn (Skroch) Owens; three daughters; Katherine (Owens) Pexa (Adam Gottesman), Sally Owens (Mark Unertl), Anne Owens, and son; Edward Owens (Jessica Owens), granddaughters Ada (Sell) Lavongsa (Ty Lavongsa), Zoe Sell; step granddaughter, Adelaide Unertl, his brother and sister-in-law, Arthur Owens and Olga Lambri, niece Christine Owens and nephew, Paul Owens. Also, sisters-in-law; Cheryl Mckenzie (Jack Mckenzie), Faye Skroch (Ken Kurek), Tricia Hill (Patrick Hill), and niece Melissa Pressentin, and nephew, Adam Hayes.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law John and Debra Owens, and brother-in-law, Paul Skroch.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stoney River assisted living center, and Interim Hospice for their excellent care for David while he was under your care, as we are very appreciative for your kindness and guidance.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, at Holy Spirit parish in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Stevens Point, WI. A two-hour visitation will be held there at 9:00am.  The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am. A reception will follow. The burial will take place at a later date. The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be servning the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com