Owen Gene Linder

How can a life be summarized by words on a page? It cannot. And certainly not the life of Owen. Owen Gene was so much more than these words, but we share them to remember the great joy he brought us and gift it to the world in hopes we capture just a glimmer of his light.

Owen was a dancing machine. The perfect dose of sweet & spicy. A tight hug and then a swift poke to the eyeball. 

He was a “hulk smash”— a whirlwind of wild, well-known in his home for tipping tables, dumping crayons, and our personal favorite— throwing raw eggs on the floor— just for fun. 

He was dirty and ornery and everything a little boy should be. And Owen was also a big smile— the kind that is contagious—moving everyone near him to smile too. He was a snuggle bug with messy blonde hair and bright eyes. 

Owen loved his siblings and their special bond led them to do almost everything together, including watching spider man every single day, hunting zombies (or as Elias would say Salamis) and jail breaking out of Owen’s baby bed. He wanted to be just like his dad and followed Joe everywhere. Even at the young age of 2 he already loved tractors, construction equipment, and his daddy’s motorcycle which he sat on frequently. Owen’s mom voiced that the thing she will miss the most is watching Owen grow up with Elias & Rae — and seeing all the trouble they would have gotten into together, as well as all the memories they would have made. 

Perhaps the most memorable things about Owen is his deep, loud laugh and the way he loved every person he met without question. Also, we can’t forget his strange obsession with spiders! 

Owen Gene Linder played superheroes with his siblings often, little did he know he would live on as a real life superhero— saving lives by the donation of his organs.

Owen, you are missed beyond words. And your love lives on. Owen’s heart was donated to a two year old male, his liver to a 1 Year old female, his kidneys to a 46 year old Dad, his intestines and pancreas to a four year old female, and his lungs for research.

Owen  is survived by his parents, Joe and Morgan, his sister Raelyn, his brother Elias. Paternal grandparents Robert and Lisa Linder, maternal grandparents Ray and Julie Swartz, Charlie and Cathy Laizure, Clint and Shari Grimes. Paternal great grandma Juanita Stein, Great grand grandparents Bob and Marilyn Stein. Maternal great grandparents Connie Loots, Larry and Diane Swartz, Bernie and Marilyn Feauto, Karen and Randy Grimes, Linda and Jerry Daniels. Aunts and uncles - Curtis and Kylie Grimes, Allie Grimes, Luke Grimes, Casey Mills, Jake Swartz, Zach Swartz, Will Swartz, Jake and Andi Schmidt. Cousins - Declan Grimes, Malachi Grimes, Harleigh Schmidt, Bentley Schmidt, and many great aunts and uncles.

Owen is preceded in death by his paternal great grandparents Gilbert and Joanne Linder. His maternal great-great grandparents Don and Norma Jean Grimes.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 12:00 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022 at Heartland Baptist Fellowship, Harrisonville, Missouri. Cremation with inurnment in Index Cemetery, Garden City, Missouri.

Family will receive friends from 10:00 until 12:00 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Kids may wear Superhero costumes and others can wear Superhero shirts

Family suggests contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House and may be sent in care of  Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, MO 64701.