C.A. Owen Obituary

C.A. Owen, 62, of Winner, S.D. passed away Thursday, July 3, 2025. 

C.A. was born Aug. 10, 1962, in Broken Bow, Neb., to Tom and Ann Owen.

As an infant, he was baptized in the Presbyterian Church. 

In 1968, the family relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., due to his father's health.

There, C.A. attended Washington High School, where he served as the FFA Chapter President. He enjoyed participating in baseball, rodeo, swim team and Boy Scouts.

C.A. graduated from Washington High School in 1980, and shortly thereafter, the family moved back to Broken Bow.

C.A. was joined in marriage to Twila Freeze in 1982. Within the next year, they moved to Kearney, Neb., where C.A. attended Kearney State College. 

In 1984, they started their family with the birth of their first child, T.J.

C.A.'s academic journey continued when he was accepted to Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan, Kans.

While in vet school, the family grew with the birth of their second child, Kaela, in 1989.

C.A. graduated in 1991, earning the distinction of Phi Zeta.

After graduation, C.A. and his family moved to Winner, S.D., where he began his veterinary career at The Animal Clinic under the mentorship of Drs. Al Pravecek and John Voegeli.

It was there that the Owen family expanded again, with the birth of their third child, Kenzie, in 1992.

C.A. was always passionate about his work. He was known for treating his clients like family and had the privilege of watching many of them grow over the years.

In 2004, C.A. faced a challenge when he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. He took it in stride and was soon back to doing what he loved.

In 2016, C.A. celebrated 25 years of service as a veterinarian to the Winner community and surrounding areas.

In 2018, after a change in his health, he retired from the clinic but continued to lend his expertise by consulting for feedlots.

A dedicated member of various veterinary organizations, C.A. was an active participant in the South Dakota Veterinary Association, Nebraska Veterinary Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) and the Veterinarian Relief Corp.

C.A. was also a dedicated volunteer at youth rodeos across the region. He served as a board member of the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, where he was a tireless advocate for safety and fairness.

During these events he wasn't afraid to throw a stitch on a horse or even stitch up one of his own children at any given time.

Beyond his work, C.A. loved hunting and fishing, but his greatest joy came from watching his children build their own families and seeing his grandchildren grow. His love for his family was endless. 

C.A.'s faith was strong. He was a member of the Winner Methodist Church. Even when he couldn't attend in person, he rarely missed church online.

C.A. was preceded in death by his father Tom Owen; in-laws - Audrey and Gilbert Horn; and sister-in-law Kathy Freeze.

He is survived by his loving wife Twila, of 43 years; their children - TJ (Jayme) of Beloit, Kans., Kaela (Spencer) Novotny of Winner, S.D., Kenzie (Max) Dougherty of Colome, S.D.; seven grandchildren - Olivia, Owen, Henley, Braxton, Ivy, Titan and Kellan; mother - Ann, of Broken Bow, Neb.; brother Bill (Karen) of Divide, Colo.; brothers-in-law - Duane Freeze of Pleasanton, Neb., and Gene Freeze (Carol Swanson) of Swan Valley, ID; and numerous aunts; uncles; nieces; nephews; and cousins.

C.A.'s legacy of love, compassion and dedication to his family and community will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the family for handicap awareness and accessibility.

Memorial service will be Thursday, July 10, at the Winner Methodist Church at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 9, at the First Christian Church in Winner, S.D. from 6 - 7 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m.