Donald Arthur Ogren

Donald Arthur Ogren was born on January 28, 1927 in Nelson, Minnesota to Arthur and Lydia (Hanson) Ogren. He was baptized and confirmed at Fahlun Lutheran Church in Nelson. Donald attended school in Nelson until the eighth grade, when he was needed to help on his family farm. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 1946 and served during World War II until July of 1947. On November 3, 1950 Donald was united in marriage to Shirley Backhaus at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Miltona. To this union, the couple was blessed with three children. The couple made their home in Miltona for a few years where he worked at the Miltona Meat Locker and then moved to Henning where Donald worked at the Henning Meat Locker. In 1954, they moved to Alexandria where Donald worked at Bellanca Aircraft and later at Eagle Aircraft. He then started working at Anderson Furniture Store where he retired from in 1992. After retirement he continued staying busy helping the Anderson Family and the Anderson Funeral Home. Donald was a Cub Scout Leader, Scoutmaster, president of the MN Bow Hunters Association and was on the LaGrand Township Board. Donald enjoyed gardening, fishing, deer hunting, archery, golf, horses, woodworking, and loved to fix things which he was very good at. Most important to Donald was spending time with his family. Donald died on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Bethany Home in Alexandria at the age of 87. He is survived by daughter, Nancy (Tom) Keene of Alexandria; son, Randy (Sharon) Ogren of New Ulm; grandchildren, Kristopher Anderson, Amanda (Chris) Duffy, Danielle Ogren and Tanner Ogren; step-grandchildren, Alissa (Josh) Theis, Bethany (Ryan) Buus, and Lindsay (Luke) Zupan; great-grandchildren, Lydia and Celia Theis and Rogen Duffy; sister, Marlys Svare of Iowa City, IA; brothers, Richard Ogren of Ramsey and Roger (Barb) Ogren of Longmont, CO; and many nieces and nephews. Donald is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Lydia; wife, Shirley; son, Joel; great-granddaughter, Reese Duffy. A funeral service was held on Friday, January 2, 2015 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Garfield with Reverend Sue Davidson officiating. Military Honors were provided by the Alexandria Veterans Memorial Unit and the Minnesota National Honor Guard. Interment was held at St. Luke’s Cemetery in Garfield. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Donald Arthur Ogren

January 28, 1927 - December 28, 2014