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Age 80 Long-time Resident of Highland Park Died peacefully in home hospice January 19, 2014. Our beloved husband, father, and brother is survived by wife Veronica (Nardecchia); son Matthew (Kim); sister Mary Jean MacLaughlin; and brother William (Marge) of Waverly, IA. Born to Eugene and Hattie (Richardson) of Detroit Lakes on December 20, 1933 and raised in Fergus Falls, Owen was proud of his small town roots. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from Macalester College in 1955 and his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1959. He practiced law in Fargo, ND until he returned to St. Paul to begin his long career at West Publishing Company in 1962 until its sale to Thomson Corporation in 1996. Owen retired to Treasure Island as a resident of Florida. He attributed his rewarding career, comfortable retirement, exceptional medical care, and full life to his education and was a major donor to Macalester College, University of Minnesota Law School, and the Gow School in South Wales, NY where Matthew graduated. Owen served on the Gow Board of Trustees 2002 to 2004. He was generous, jocular, and brave. He loved his cabin in Webb Lake, WI near the St. Croix Chippewa reservation and came to collect Native American art, and to establish the Owen and Veronica Shaffer Scholarship at Macalester for a student of Native American heritage. He enjoyed dogs, particularly dachshunds which he showed during the 1960's and 1970's. He served one term as president of the Dachshund Club of America. Owen returned to Minnesota periodically for treatment of multiple myeloma at Mayo Clinic in Rochester following his diagnosis in late 2004. At age 71, Owen was the oldest recipient of a stem cell transplant in April 2005. He remained in remission until 2009. A celebration of his life will be March 22, 10:30 AM at Lakewood Garden Mausoleum, 3600 Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis, the service in downstairs chapel to be followed by a gathering upstairs. Memorials to Our Lady of Peace Hospice are preferred. Twin Cities Cremation 651-645-1233
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I was saddened to hear of Owen's passing. Just last week I was wondering what Owen went on to do after West Publishing. Many great times were had during our daily bridge games or on Saturday mornings during doughnut break in the cafeteria. Owen was a great friend and will be missed, but fondly remembered often.
Alice Quammen Lee
January 27, 2014
I was sorry to learn of Owen's passing. He was erudite, moderate in his judgments, and possessed of a wry sense of humor that you could miss unless you were paying attention. We chatted at length in 1995 and 1996 about the virtues of residence in states such as Florida, where he retired, or Texas, where I did, and I hope he was as happy with his choice as we were with ours. He will be missed.
John Niemeyer
January 27, 2014
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