William "Owen" Kirk

William “Owen” Kirk, 86, passed peacefully Tuesday, November 12, 2019 in the family home in Lansing surrounded by family. A Memorial Service was held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Lansing Sunday, November 17 with military honors. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Owen was born February 1, 1933 in Stockton, CA and moved to Wisconsin in 1945.  He later moved to Sparta, WI where he married Dorothy Ann Yahnke May 21, 1960. The couple eventually moved to Lansing where he designed and built their family home.

Owen got his GED in 1974 and an Honorary Engineering Degree from his Interstate Power co-workers in 1994. In his work life he was a farmer, Army Korean War Veteran, mechanic, and worked in maintenance. He worked at Clark Transport, Northern Engraving in both Sparta and Lansing, and retired from Interstate Power Plant in Lansing February 1, 1995. He was a jack of all trades and loved hunting, fishing, card playing, wood cutting, inventing, and being with family friends. He was always ready to tell a joke or a story.

Owen is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Kirk; his children, Cheryl (Brian) Fuller of Charles City and Jeff Kirk of Lansing; three grandchildren, Bethany, Missy and Brian; four great-grandchildren, Peyton, Preston, Paxtyn and Jessie; his siblings, Ruth (Dick) Schmidt, Roy (Diane) Kirk and Vicki (Bill) Williams, all of Sparta, WI; and he will also be missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents, Allan and Hazel; an infant sister, Louise; a brother, Donald; and half-siblings, Alan and Edith.

The family would like to thank all the staff from the Crossing River Hospice team, and for their love, support and tender care given to Owen.