Obituary of Peter Owen Moen

MOEN, Peter Owen Peter "Owen Moen, beloved husband of Gerry Moen, passed away on September 7, 2005 at the age of 83 after a brief and courageous battle with West Nile virus. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 53 years, Gerry; children Terri (Bryan) Woods of Saskatoon, Barb (Lyall) Friesen of Meadow Lake, Tom (Michelle) of Calgary, Richard and Keith, both of Regina; grandchildren Matthew, Joshua, Andrew, Stephanie, Kristen, Michael, Lindsey and Erik. He is also survived by brother Pat ("Tim) of Penticton, sister Mona Bolt of Saskatoon, sister-in-law Peggy Helgren of Edmonton, and brother-in-law George Chase of Saskatoon. Owen was predeceased by his parents, Sever and Lena Moen, two brothers, Thomas Moen and Grant Moen, Gerrys parents Len and Louise Chase, sisters-in-law Angela Moen, Ellen Moen, Mary Mader and Helen Chase, brothers-in-law Jack Mader, Henning Helgren and Don Bolt. Owen was born December 6, 1921 on a farm just outside Swanson, SK, 35 miles southwest of Saskatoon. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1940, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as an aero engine mechanic. Upon completion of his training, he was stationed at bases in Scoudouc, New Brunswick and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for the duration of the war. In retirement, Owen was an active member of both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Air Force Association of Canada #600 (Regina) Wing, for which he served as president as well as on the board of directors. Owen enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan in the fall of 1946, graduating in the spring of 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Immediately thereafter, he joined the Conservation and Development Branch of the Sask. Dept. of Agriculture as a project manager, relocating to Regina in the fall of 1950. He was promoted to Assistant Director in 1959, and Branch Director in 1967. Under his leadership, the branch completed the irrigation development associated with the construction of Gardiner Dam and Diefenbaker Lake. In 1972, he was asked to lead the start-up of the Agricultural Engineering Branch, which was eventually amalgamated with the Family Farm Improvement Branch, which he led as Branch Director from 1978 to his retirement in 1986. In addition to his career as a civil servant, Owen served for several years as president, as well as on the board of directors of the Saskatchewan Government Employees Credit Union. An avid sportsman his entire life, Owen particularly loved to play baseball and hockey in his youth, and he curled for many years. He further served the community by coaching hockey and baseball in Regina for 19 years. A staunch Rider fan, he was a faithful season ticket holder for over 50 years. He also had a life-long passion for music, having learned to play several instruments by ear as a young man. Owen had a keen sense of humor and many were the delighted recipients of his limericks. In his retirement years, Owen enjoyed making wine, woodworking, playing bridge, gardening, traveling, his daily visit to coffee row, and most of all, the numerous family gatherings at the cottage at Regina Beach. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Annes R.C. Church, 1701 Cowan Crescent, Regina at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2005. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the charity of your choice. A book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com