Lola Owens

Lola Rae Owens of Oskaloosa passed away February 15 th at the age of 88 in St. Petersburg, FL while at their winter residence. She was born on December 20, 1936, near Highland Center, IA. Her parents were Dale and Alta Lappin. Lola attended and graduated from Cedar School. On May 25, 1954, she was united in marriage to Sanford Owens at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They recently celebrated their 70 th wedding anniversary. Lola and Sanford reside and farmed in the Cedar area to present day.
During her lifetime, Lola was heavily involved in the Cedar United Methodist Church including MYF sponsor for many years. She spent many hours working at the MYF food booth at the Southern Iowa Fair with other church members and youth. Lola worked alongside Sanford farming and raising their family which included putting in a huge garden every year. She and her husband enjoyed riding in RAGBRAI for over ten years alongside Sanford's sister and brother-in-law. Lola loved attending the Iowa State Fair festivities. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren show livestock and participate in sports activities. Lola adored her grandchildren, and they adored her.
Together Lola and Sanford raised 5 children: Jeff (Jeanine) Owens of Oskaloosa, Kim McGrath of Oskaloosa, Regina (Craig) Williams of Logansport, IN, Kelly (Mark) Long of Cedar, and Jill Owens of Traverse City, MI. The couple also have 15 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Lola was preceded in death by her parents along with one brother and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Central Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating. Open visitation will begin at 11:00 AM in the Bates Funeral Chapel on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with the family present from 2:00-4:00 PM. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Southern Iowa Fair.