Betty J. Ogden

Betty Jane Ogden, age 85, of O'Neill, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.

Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, from 3-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the Faith Wesleyan Church in Atkinson with Pastors Tim Wilson and Ila Randolph officiating. Music was provided by organist, Karen Sperling and soloist, Karla Slaymaker.

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Bob Ogden, Troy Hoffman, Brent Ogden, Gary Ogden Jr.,  Mike Ogden, Jayme Hagan, Trent Hoffman, Terry Ogden Jr., Jeremy Ogden,   Josh Hagan, Kevin Ogden, Anthony Ogden, Jason Langan, David Ogden, Jeff Hagan, Brandon Schneider and Kyle Raasch.

Honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters, Carolyn Coup, Michele Sukup, Tami Disterhaupt, Angie Schaaf, Amy Greger, Nikki Shald, Crystal Ogden, Amanda Greger, Misty Rentschler, Stacey Cieslik and Joni Ogden.

Burial was in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson.

Seger Funeral Home in Atkinson was in charge of arrangements.

Betty was born on April 22, 1926, at Hubbard to Jenry J. Thompson and Etta Mary Leis Thompson. As an infant she was baptized into the Lutheran faith. On April 9, 1939, she was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church at Hubbard. Betty attended grade school at a rural school and graduated from Hubbard High School at Hubbard in 1944.

On Dec. 21, 1944, Betty married Sherman Ogden at Hiawatha, KS. Twelve children were born to this union. They lived in Idaho for many years and returned to Nebraska in 1958. They made their home in Ainsworth. Betty worked at Masters Cafe as a cook. In 1967, Betty moved to Atkinson and worked as a cook in many restaurants. After her children were grown she moved to O'Neill. Betty worked at Woody's Cafe as a cook and Avera St. Anthony's Hospital as a dietary aide and in housekeeping. Her co-workers in the dietary nicknamed her Betty Boop and gave her Betty Boop items so she began to collect even more.

Betty's favorite hobby was to crochet. She crocheted hundreds of afghans, potholders and dishtowels. She gave away most of the items to her children, grandchildren and friends. She could look at an afghan in a magazine or at the home of a friend and was able to go home and make one. One year she crocheted a cookie monster for all of her grandchildren. Betty also had a very large collection of owls. Her children and grandchildren gave her most of her collections and they found a lot of very unique ones from all over the United States.

Betty loved family gatherings and loved to plan them for the holidays. Christmas and Thanksgiving were her favorite time of year for family gatherings. It was very important to her that the family was always together over holidays.

She enjoyed going to country and western concerts with her friend, Arlene Witt. They also took a lot of tours. Her all time favorite trip was to the east coast. They toured 13 states and saw a lot of beautiful scenery and sights. She also enjoyed her trips to Alaska and Minnesota to visit her sisters.

Betty is survived by her children: Jerry Ogden and wife, Pat of Lawrence, KS, Don Ogden and wife, Ellen  and Larry Ogden and wife, Marlene all of Atkinson, Janet Hoffman and husband, Gary of O'Neill, Gary Ogden and wife, Pam of South Sioux City, NE, Bill Ogden and wife, Jane of O'Neill, Judy Hagan and husband, Steve of Atkinson, Joan Greger and husband, Dan of Stuart, Joy Raasch and husband, Mark of Marathonm, Iowa, Jean Hamilton and husband, Mark of Lincoln, Janice Ogden of Lincoln, Kerry Ogden of Moville, Iowa; 28 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Delores O'Keefe of Valentine.

Her parents; husband, Sherman; son, Terry Ogden; grandson, Brian Ogden; and sisters, Forothy Thompson, Henrietta Schuldt and Wanita Conley preceded her in death.