Freda Cromwell Owens, 95, resident of Susanville CA passed away January 31, 2026 in Susanville. Born August 9, 1930 to Clayton and Dorothy Cromwell. The family was later blessed by her sister Anne. She became a person who lived her life with an enthusiasm that was impressive to all who knew and loved her. This translated to a very active youth who participated in numerous sports and clubs while in high school. To an adult who went on to attend Haskell Indian Nations University.
After graduation she went to work in Washington D.C. for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and there gained contacts of senators and congressmen including Harold T. Bizz Johnson. This proved helpful when much later she returned to Susanville with her family and served as Tribal Chairman for the local American Indian tribe from 1966 to 1985 with a 4-year break. It was important to Freda as the great grand daughter of the last Paiute chief in Honey Lake Valley to passionately peruse the major changes she accomplished for her people. She was the last native elder to have known “Old man” Sau weep Joaquin in her younger days. She worked tirelessly in addition to her full time job at Lassen National Forest Service as a contract specialist to bring roads, housing, running water, the Indian gym in 1976, the first Indian health clinic in Susanville originally called Pi Ma Pa Indian Health Clinic and the original building which was started as a school that is now part of the Diamond Mountain Casino. All without pay as the position of tribal chairman during her terms was a volunteer position.
After she retired from the forest service in the mid 1980’s where she worked for over 30 years, Freda moved to Hawaii with her husband Robert Owens. She embraced with gusto life in Kona joining clubs and volunteering for such things as the Iron Man Triathlon that was held each year in kona. She worked at first for the local newspaper there and then as a social worker for the Department of Human Services for the state of Hawaii. It was during this time in 1995 that she acquired her BA from Chico state. After eventually retiring from Human Service’s in Kona and the passing of her husband she returned to Susanville to be closer to her family. Once again she became avidly involved in the interests and historical preservation of the Susanville Indian Rancheria.
She will be greatly missed and remembered for who she was and for all she selflessly did for her family and so many others.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, her dear husband, her sister, her son and grandson. She is survived by her sons Earnest (Rushelle) Meadows, Patrick (Candelaria) Owens and daughter Pamela Meadows, numerous grandchildren and great grand children.
A family service is to be held on February 9th at 2pm at the Diamond Crest Cemetery, 705 Diamond Crest Rd. Susanville CA. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. If you so desire, in lieu of flowers please make contributions to local charitable organizations or events.
