Owen Ardell Hegge

May 25, 1935 - April 19, 2014

Owen Ardell Hegge passed away April 19, 2014 in his home with his family nearby, after a battle with cancer. He was a life-long resident of the Spring Grove area. He was born May 25, 1935 in Spring Grove to Peter and Edna (Morken) Hegge. He was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church of Black Hammer, and is a current member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Spring Grove. He graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1953, and married Janice Johnson on Feb 4, 1961. He grew up on a farm, and continued to be active in farming for several decades. As a young man, he was an organizing member, along with other friends, of the Rawhide Roping Club. They produced rodeos in Black Hammer and other locations. He participated in some of the rodeos, as well. In 1962 he started his fifty-two year career as an independent insurance agent. His relationship with his clients was very important to him and he took pride in putting their needs first. Owen enjoyed visiting with people, whether it was one of his life-long clients, people at the farm auction he was clerking, someone he met on the street or over many cups of coffee. Owen’s family was his greatest pride and joy, and he loved to take part in events with them and follow the activities of his children, and grandchildren. More recently, he found joy in traveling to Norway to find and visit relatives there. He is survived by his wife Janice and their three children, Bruce Hegge, Karin (Hiroshi) Tanaka, and Sara (Darin) Bratland; and by eight grandchildren Hank and Lance Hegge, Joie, Luca and Keita Tanaka, and Lindsey, Samantha and Carter Bratland. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter-in-law Teresa Hegge.