Owen Carlton Onsgard

HOUSTONOwen Carlton Onsgard, 57 of Houston, died at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 20, 2014 after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.Owen, the oldest of four boys, was born June 12, 1956 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee to Orrin "Carlton" and Sharon (Davies) Onsgard. His family returned to their native Minnesota in 1962. Owen attended school in Houston where he enjoying playing basketball, football, golf, baseball, and chess. At an early age, Owen had a passion for music and earned the John Phillip Souza Award. Owen played in a few bands throughout the years, including a Dixie band, Hurricane Hash, the Houston Community Band, organized the Hoedown Jazz Band float and was proud of his service to the community by playing Taps at Veterans' memorials. Owen attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA but his sense of adventure drew him to the open road and he began truck driving in 1977. Throughout his journey, he traveled to 49 states and four foreign countries. There was a magical quality to Owen; he could light up a room, which could obviously be seen in his twinkling blue eyes. He was a man of modest means who loved sharing experiences with his friends and family. Though he never won the lottery, Owen was rich in family, friends, and love. He was introduced to Lisa Tschumper in Houston in 1991, and Lisa instantly knew they were destined to be together. They were married on November 21, 1997 in Reno, NV. Six years later, their love grew with the birth of their son, Odin Carlton. Despite his battle with cancer, Owen was passionate about Houston, MN and started "Support the Court", a community organization dedicated to restoring the tennis court at the Houston Elementary School. The Owen Onsgard Court will be completed later this year and will be enjoyed by many people in the area.He is survived by his wife, Lisa Onsgard and their son, Odin, of Houston; brothers, Steve (Kathy) Onsgard of Elgin, IL and their daughter, Kirsten, Eric Onsgard of Orcutt, CA, and Pete (Maureen O'Hara) Onsgard of Thiensville, WI and his son, Danny; mother-in-law, Bonnie Tschumper; brothers and sisters-in-law, Susan (Mike) Carpenter, Ron (Wanda Vickstrom) Strong, Patti (Michael) Huish, Bonnie (David) Wardwell, John (Lynn) Tschumper, Mary (Dan Klinzing) Friesen, Gina (Jim) Johnson, Steven (Mary) Tschumper, Rose (John) Gardner, and Adele (Paul) Gee; special niece, Sarah Jilk and her son Carter; and countless other nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Owen is preceded in death by his parents, Sharon in 2000 and Carlton in 2001; brothers-in-law, Alan Strong and Tom Tschumper; and father-in-law, Norbert Tschumper.A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston and also one hour prior to the service. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the church with Reverend Lane Zaffke officiating. Burial will take place at a later date in Stone Church Cemetery.The family prefers memorials be directed to the charities that were close to Owen's heart: Support the Court Project (checks payable to Hurricane Foundation C/O Court, P.O. Box 655, Houston, MN 55943) or Houston Area Cancer Support, P.O. Box 75, Houston, MN 55943). Please share a memory of Owen with his family and view the video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/477252