A celebration of the life of Duane Ogren, 86, of Carroll was held Tuesday, July 31, at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
The Rev Julie Poulsen, pastor of the church, offered words of comfort. Kenny Monthei was soloist accompanied by Danille Curtis. Honorary bearers were Patricia Brown, Debra Youso, David Wagers, Steve Ogren, Terri Johnson, Richard Dresback, Barb DeJoode, Gary Dresback, Roger Rowles, Karen Davis, Dennis Smith, Anita Edwards, Timothy Bardole and Jason Bardole.
Casket bearers were Bruce Wagers, Paul Ogren, Bob Dresback, Craig Rowles, Allen Smith and Peter Bardole
Interment was at the Jefferson Municipal Cemetery with military honors by a U.S. Army honor guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9599, and American Legion Post 11
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
Duane Clark Ogren was born November 27, 1931, on a farm in Bristol Township near the small community of Farlin to Carl Alfred and Iva Irene Clark Ogren. He departed this life on July 28, 2018, at Accura Health Care Center in Carroll to be reunited with family who went before him.
Duane was the third in a family of six siblings – two boys and four girls. He remarked many times that he wouldn’t even look at his youngest sister, Babe, for two weeks because he was hoping for a baby brother to even the score. Duane attended grade school at the two story country school in Farlin, then attended and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1949.
He was baptized into the faith while a member of the Farlin Church of Christ. At the time of his marriage, Duane transferred his membership to the Rippey United Methodist Church and later to Jefferson.
After graduation, he worked several jobs and helped out on the farm until being drafted into the United States Army in 1952. He served at Camp Roberts in California before being sent to Korea for 18 months. Sgt. Ogren was discharged in November 1954. Shortly thereafter, he obtained a job at J.C. Penney in Fort Dodge.
Duane was married July 15, 1956, to Valerie Jean Heater at the Rippey Methodist Church. They were the parents of two children: Cynthia Renee’ and Michael Duane. In 1957, he was transferred to Jefferson where they made their home until moving to Carroll in 2016. Later he worked for F & D Construction, which was owned by his brother.
In 1973, Duane and Valerie purchased a DuraClean franchise and spent the next 12 years cleaning carpet and upholstery. At the same time, he was working part time for the Post Office as a substitute rural carrier. When he was appointed to a fulltime carrier position, they sold the franchise. He retired in 1993.
Duane was a charter member of the B.P.O. Elks and served as Exalted Ruler in 1976. During that year of the United States Bicentennial, he was privileged to attend the national convention in Chicago. He was also a member of the American Legion, Iowa and National Rural Letter Carriers and NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees).
His hobbies included watching sports on TV, cards and golf. After retirement, golf became more of a passion than a hobby. But he also found time to volunteer in the hospital gift shop for GCMC auxiliary and help deliver Meals on Wheels for Elderserve.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Cynthia in 1963; brother Alfred; sisters Norma and Babe; nephew Craig; uncles Albert, Merle, Lloyd, Mahlon and Roy; aunts Victoria, Evelyn, Dorothy, Elda, and Georgia; sister-in-law Beverly; brothers-in-law Jack, Deane and Jim; one great nephew and one great-great niece.
He is survived by his wife Valerie Ogren of Carroll; his son Michael Ogren of Carroll; sisters: Shirley Dresback of Winterset and Joanne (Jim) Rowles of Grand Junction; sister-in-law Phyllis (Roy) Bardole of Rippey; special cousins; and many nieces; and nephews.
Funeral Services for Duane Ogren, 86, of Carroll, IA formerly of Jefferson will be 10:30 am Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. Interment will be at Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson, IA. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be Monday, July 30, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church in Jefferson or New Hope Village in Carroll.
