Charles Thomas "Tommy" Oyen

Charles Thomas "Tommy" Oyen, 68, of Salem passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at his home. Visitation with family present will be held from 5 -7 pm on Tuesday, February 27 at Kinzley Funeral Home. Private family burial will be held at a later date at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
Charles Thomas Oyen was born on November 5, 1955 in Mitchell, SD to Charles and LaVerne (Michels) Oyen. He graduated from Salem High School. He worked in the field of plumbing most of his life, until the last 10 years, when he went to work for Puthoff Repair as an assembly technician. He was an avid, lifelong fisherman and hunter. His prized possession was his '70 Mercury Cougar. Tommy adored all of his nieces and nephews but had an especially joyful surprise when he met his daughter and granddaughters for the first time two years ago. He was extremely proud of them.
Tommy is survived by: his daughter, Rachel (Blake) Johnson and their daughters Amara and Kenzie; stepmother, Mariann of Salem; siblings, Ray (Pat) of Lead, Rick (Cathy) of Sioux Falls, Bonnie (Tom) O'Hara of Sioux Falls, Bill (Dee Zens) of Canova, Bob (Hillary) of Montrose, Teresa Kerkhove of Salem, David (Dawn) of Montrose and Donnie (Michelle), John (Anni), and Annette (Ryan) VanEmmerik, all of Salem; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and LaVerne.