December 8, 1933 — March 2, 2023
Jean Marie (Spencer) Owens, 89 of Columbus, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
Jean was born in Garden City, Kansas on December 8, 1933, the daughter of Dan and Leona (Finke) Spencer.
Jean grew up in Garden City, Kansas and started her family there before moving to Hobbs, New Mexico in 1955. Jean moved to Columbus in February of 1982 where she became a regular at school functions cheering on not only her three grandchildren, Clint, Glenn, and Courtney, but all of their friends as well. She made many cherished friendships while managing Diamond Shamrock for eleven years and working at Mark’s Corner Pharmacy for nine years. Over the course of forty-one years, she forged a life in Columbus with her daughter, Susie Ratliff and son-in-law Lary Ratliff. Susie was blessed to be Jean’s caregiver during her last years. Jean was loved by all of her many doctors, nurses, her team from Amedisys Hospice Care, and her caregiving assistants, especially those that took care of her during her final days; Armida “Milli” Ratcliff, Dawn Martin, and Ruby Fitzgerald.
Jean was known to be feisty, funny, and was called “Grandma Jean” by more people than just her grandchildren. All whom loved her dearly will never forget her wit and her knack for telling you like it is even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Great-Great Grandmother were her favorite titles. Always having a sweet tooth, anyone who visited her knew they could find candy, treats she made herself, or a dessert she would reluctantly share.
She is survived by her four daughters: Claudia “Susie” Ratliff and husband Lary of Columbus, Tx; Christine Dorsey and husband, Larry of Gallup, NM; Victoria Kurrasch and husband, James of Rangley, CO; Valerie Rakoczy, and husband, Frank of Cedar Park, Tx; sister, Kathy Scheeter and husband, Pete of Garden City, KS; nine Grandchildren, eleven Great-Grandchildren, and three Great-Great-Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Connie Zemler and husband, Aaron and her sweet dogs: Mr. Fred and Toby.
Per her wishes, A Private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, and her ashes will be taken back to Garden City, Kansas to be buried beside her mom and dad.
