Memorial services for Bruce C. Owens, 79 of Albert Lea will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate. Private burial will follow. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the services at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Bruce died unexpectedly Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at his home.

Bruce Calvin Owens was born June 24, 1935, in East Chain, the son of Benjamin and Lola (Mattson) Owens. He grew up in the Blue Earth area where he attended and graduated from Blue Earth High School.

On March 7, 1959, Bruce was united in marriage to Janis Jensen at Buffalo Center, Iowa. Bruce was an instructor at Albert Lea Vo-Tech. He volunteered doing AARP taxes, Army Corp of Engineers Campground, Senior Resources and was the 2008 Albert Lea Volunteer of the Year. Bruce enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cribbage and he loved volunteering. He was a member at one time of Methodist Church, Our Saviors in Federal Dam and First Baptist Churches and also a member of the Caryaires, the Albert Lea Stock Club and the Masons. Bruce so enjoyed working with his AARP tax friends and eating Snickers bars and jelly beans.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Janis; son, David, and wife, Colleen Owens; sister, Cynthia Jellison; grandchildren Cassandra (Jon) Schreiber and Melissa(Josh) Peterson; great-grandchildren Lila and Lucy; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.