Cause of death - Stroke.

Shirley and Tilda married on 6 July 1919
at Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
They were the parents of six children;
Shirley Olina Nellie, Stella Marie
Patrick Nelson, Robert Oren, Charles Lloyd, Inga Bess.

WADENA NEWS - 30 January 1975:
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Shirley Oren Gowen, age 81 years, passed away in Wadena Union Hospital on Tuesday, January 21, 1975 following a lengthy illness.
He received his early education at Rokeby.
He was an active member of the Canadian Legion, having served in World War 1 with the Canadian Forces as a machine gunner, then in World War II with the Forestry Corps.
The funeral was conducted in the Elfros Union Church with the special Legion rites by the Elfros Branch, and, with an honor guard from the Leslie Branch of the Legion.
Interment in Elfros Cemetery.
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GOWEN GENEALOGY:
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In 1904 Shirley emigrated to Saskatchewan with his family.
In 1911 he took a homestead in the Emerald District of Elfros.
In 1915 he enlisted in #188 (Saskatchewan Battalion) Canadian Expeditionary Force and went overseas. He arrived in Liverpool, England on October 6, 1916 and was stationed at East Sandling Camp at Hythe in Kent County, England until he went to France. He was wounded in the arm during the drive at Vimy Ridge and was sent back to England.
In 1919 he returned to Elfros. After his marriage, he bought land through the Department of Veterans Affairs, he farmed and did custom breaking, first with horses then with a tractor. The first few years were difficult for the family; being dried out, frozen out, then rusted out!
In 1942 he enlisted in the Forestry Corp and went over to Scotland until his discharge in 1945. While he was away, the farm was rented out and the family moved into Elfros. After his return, he worked on several farms in the area, while taking time to enjoy his favorite sport of fishing and hunting.
In 1974 his heart condition required him to be hospitalized; after seven months he died as a result of a stroke.