Randi W. Owen, 56, of Tomah passed away unexpectedly at his home on Dec. 19, 2019.
Randi graduated from Roland High School in Roland, Okla., in 1981. After graduation, Randi joined the Army, for which he was a helicopter mechanic, serving during the Grenada invasion. He shared many memories of this time; most memorable were the stories about fixing helicopters while bullets were ricocheting off the sides. He decided to wait to finish the repairs.
After serving in the Army, Randi moved to Wisconsin, where he met and married Bonnie on April 15, 1996. Randi had numerous jobs, including DJing at clubs, working as an over-the-road truck driver, driving bus, and serving as on-air personality and engineer for WCOW and WTMB. Most recently, he was a police officer and 911 dispatcher at Fort McCoy. During his tenure at Fort McCoy, Randi took an assignment at Fort Greely in Alaska.
Randi and Bonnie moved to Alaska for four years, where they went on several adventures and met several wonderful friends. While in Alaska, Randi helped set up and was an on-air personality for KDLS 95.5 radio station at the Delton Junction High School. He enjoyed working with the kids and teaching them about the radio industry.
Randi and Bonnie decided to move back to Wisconsin when their grandchildren were born. Randi loved spending time with his grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as “Papa.” When not with his grandchildren, Randi and Bonnie spent their free time in their RV, camping as many weekends as they could. Randi and Bonnie were both members of Good Sam’s Club, where Randi held the positions of sound coordinator and website master for the state chapter. Randi and Bonnie were founding members of the Cranberry Country Cruisers camping club in Tomah. Randi also was an active member of American Legion Post 201, for which he served as the finance officer. In his free time, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, grilling, and amateur radios.
Randi is survived by his wife, Bonnie Owen of Tomah; his mother, Esther Bohnert of Sparta; his sister, Rosa Hiles (and friend George Bradley) of Sparta; his daughter, Sarah Owen of Tomah; and his stepsons, Adam (Rachel) Robarge and Eric (Desirae) Robarge, both of Tomah.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tristian, Leeland, Morgan, Ronan, Annabelle, Jackson, Eva, and Cadence. He was proceeded in death by his grandparents and his father.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Chaplin Jeff Skinner will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Military honors will be by Grassman-Sowle-Larson-Senz American Legion Post 201.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Sunday from 4–7 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home and on Monday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorials in Randi’s name may be given to the American Legion Post 201 roof fund. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
