Barbara Ellen Owens RAPID CITY Barbara Ellen Owens, 88, of Rapid City, died Saturday, November 8, at Dr. Donald and Jeannette Olivers home holding the hand of her beloved husband, Lisle. She was born August 25, 1920, in Piedmont, S.D., the third of six children born to Francis Garfield Beatty and Edith Nettie Braga Beatty. Barb grew up and completed her public education through high school in Piedmont, S.D. Barbara attended Black Hills Teachers College receiving her two year teaching certificate. Barbs first teaching position was a one room school in Custer State Park. During WWII, Barb moved and worked in Omaha, NE., for a short time. She returned to Rapid City taking a position at Puritan Gas and Oil. Later she married Lisle E. Owens on June 2, 1948 at Barbs sister, Elvira Stolls home in Custer, S.D. with their mothers in attendance-Edith Beatty and Dottie Owens. Barb and Lisle took up residence in Sturgis near family. Their first daughter, Jeannette, arrived Nov. 1949. Connie, their second daughter was born Oct. 1951 in Rapid City, S.D. Barb started her teaching career in Rapid City as a kindergarten teacher, moving to 4th grade, 5th grade and Chapter 1 redial math grades 1-6. She worked a total of 27 years as a teacher in the Rapid City schools while earning her MA in education. During those years Barb had a couple of firsts. She was one of the first teachers trained in the Head Start program around 1965. She was the first and only certified Chisantop (Korean finger calculation) teacher in the state of South Dakota in the later 1970s. Until her death, Barb continued teaching her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Barb had two life long bridge clubs she adored. She loved her bridge. She was a member of Chapter AU, PEO. Being a life long member of 1st Presbyterian Church was active as an elder, a Sunday School teacher, a youth leader, a participant in various Bible studies as well as ladies circle. Barb also was actively involved in the community as a Friend of the Library and was awarded the Good Neighbor award. Barb and Lisle enjoyed many years of activities with the Rapid City Shrine Club, Najas and Keystone Eastern Star. Barb is survived by her husband, Lisle E. Owens; Barbaras only surviving sibling of five is her younger brother, Frank Beatty, of Cucamonga, CA.; and her daughters, Jeannette Oliver (Donald); Connie Tinant (Chuck), all of Rapid City; Barbs extended family includes many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are: Christopher Lee Oliver (Penny); Charles Jason Tinant (Kazumi); Connie Sue Oliver Jacobs (Corey); James Errett Oliver; Corey Joseph Tinant; Jessica Leigh Tinant Scull (Andy); Toan Errett Oliver; Lan Catherine Oliver; Bryan James Oliver. The additional joys of great-grandchildren are Chris: Alexandra, Gabriel, and Thomas; Jasons: Sakurako; Connie Sues: Benjamin, Emmalena, Daniel and Gideon; Coreys: Caiden and Kyler; Jessicas: Veda. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Burial services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Black Hills National Cemetery, Rev. Bob Evans officiating. Friends may gather at the funeral home for departure for the cemetery at 9:15 a.m. Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, at First Presbyterian Church, 710 Kansas City St., with the Rev. Bob Evans and Pastor David Fagrey officiating. The family invites all those who can to stay for a reception following services at the church. A memorial to honor Barbs love of teaching has been established to help fellow teachers through Rapid City Public School Foundation.