116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Kenneth Michael Owen
Age: 90
City: Cedar Rapids
Funeral Home
Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Kenneth Michael Owen
Kenneth Michael Owen
Cedar Rapids
Kenneth Michael Owen, 90, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Cottage Grove Place, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 10 – 11 a.m. then a luncheon from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass beginning at 12:30 p.m., all on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Reverend Douglas Loecke is officiating. Burial immediately follows at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; children, Kathleen (Gary) Moore, Debra (Ken) Spratt, and Michael (Becka) Owen; eight grandchildren, and a great-grandson on the way.
Ken was born on May 19, 1935, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the son of Rosco and Elizabeth Fay (Ryan) Owen. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1953, and culminated his college education with a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas in 1959. Ken spent his career in social work, primarily in private practice and with the Abbe Center for Community Health.
On November 26, 1964, he married Barbara Harrington, at St. Matthew’s. Ken focused his life on his family, his faith, and his community. He was a dedicated member at St. Matthew’s, serving as a cantor and singing in the men’s choir. Ken was most proud of his work volunteering with the Metro Catholic Outreach Food Pantry and working with those recently released from incarceration with the RISE Program of Fresh Start Ministries.
In his free time, Ken enjoyed keeping his mind and body active. Walking, reading, and doing creative arts and crafts were his favorites. Ken’s gentle spirit and kindness will be remembered by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Denice, Sharon, and Robert.
Memorials may be directed to St. Matthew Catholic Church and the Metro Catholic Outreach Food Pantry.
Please share your support and memories with Ken’s family on his obituary page at www.stewartbaxter.com under the Obituaries tab.

Daily Newsletters