Agnes Bertha Petri Owens

January 27, 1930 - July 10, 2026

Agnes “Aggie” Owens passed away peacefully on July 10th at the age of 96. A learner, teacher, and nurturer, she was a natural caretaker and lived her long, beautiful life with gusto.

Aggie was born in 1930 in Hebron, North Dakota, the fourth of seven children. She was Valedictorian of her high school in Belfield, ND. She attended Minot State Teachers College for two years before accepting a job as a third-grade teacher in Glendive, Montana. After a year, she decided she wanted more education and went back to school at East Montana College of Education in Billings.

It was in Billings that she met and married John Owens, who fell in love with her green eyes, blonde hair, and sun tan. After the first baby and while pregnant with the second, Aggie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. John was working for Conoco Oil Co., and in 1959 was transferred to Denver, where they had three more children. He was then transferred to Durango in 1965, the place she called home for more than 60 years.

While the children were small and John was working, Aggie stayed home and they started family skiing. She often told people the reason she took up skiing was because her husband traveled for work, and someone had to drive the kids to the ski area.

Even with five children to care for, Aggie channeled her boundless energy into earning her Master's Degree in Special Education, heading the kindergarten department at St. Columba School for six years, and filling in as a substitute teacher for School District 9-R.

After she was widowed in 1988, she filled her time developing new hobbies, volunteering, and seeing the world.

Her late husband remarked in a letter to his family about their pending nuptials that she sews most of her own clothes, so it’s no surprise she loved making baby blankets and hats for newborns. She also learned folk dancing, played tennis, and loved hiking with the DUWAPs.

As a volunteer, she taught adult literacy, worked with mentally disabled people in a Civitan program, and counseled newly widowed persons through an American Association of Retired Persons service. She was part of the Health Ministry at St. Columba, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and went to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina to help.

Aggie traveled to more countries than we can count. She instilled her love of travel in her family and adventured with many dear friends.

For a 96 year old, she was really only “old” for a few years. She enjoyed downhill skiing well into her 80s, did the crossword puzzle in pen, playing bridge with friends, and couldn’t help but win most card games she played. She enjoyed music and singalongs into her final days.

Aggie is survived by her five children: Anne Beach (Alan Rolston), Cortez, Colorado; Jean Owens (Mike Andrews), Durango, Colorado; Pat Owens (Rose), Silverthorne, Colorado; Mary Owens, Cortez, Colorado; and Michael Owens, Austin, Texas.

There are nine grandchildren: Brian Beach, Seattle, Washington; Adam Beach (Beth Temple), San Diego, California; David Beach (Kailee Merillat), Cortez, Colorado; Jason Scruggs, Westminster, Colorado; Erin Scruggs, Chicago, Illinois; Katy Owens (DJ Hubler), Denver, Colorado; Ryan Owens (Megan Butler), Westbury, New York; Cal and Michael Owens, Cohasset, Massachusetts. And six great grandchildren Alex and Stephen Beach, Cora and Jamie Hubler, and Marley and Palmer Beach.

Her beloved sisters Magdelena and Ruth and brother Jim will miss her dearly.

A funeral service will be held at St. Columba Catholic Church on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, and a reception at the St. Columba school gymnasium will follow a brief graveside service at Greenmount Cemetery. All are welcome.

We understand that not everyone is able to attend in person, so the service will also be livestreamed on YouTube for those wishing to celebrate her life with us.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you keep her in your heart for a while.