June 2, 1925 – November 1, 2019
Betty Ann Ogden, a long-time resident of Fall Creek township, passed away on November 1, 2019, at the age of 94.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Oren; a daughter, Phyllis; her eldest son, Kenneth; as well as her siblings, Florence, Fanny, Clifford, Mildred, and Dorothy.
Survivors include her children, Dennis (Jeanie), Richard (Kathy), Patricia Johnson (Chris), and Keith (Jeniffer). Betty was grandma and “mommer” to 9 grandchildren, Steven Ogden, Michael Ogden, Haley Wild, Matthew Ogden, Jennifer Milliken, Scott Lumpkin, Daniel Johnson, Andrew Johnson, and Lucas Ogden; as well as six great grandchildren. Betty’s favorite niece, Beth Ann Adams, provided comfort and support prior to Betty’s passing.
One other survivor requires mention, that being Katie, Betty’s trusted American Bulldog. Katie’s big booming bark spoke caution to any who entered and she was intensely protective of her friend and master. Getting back to her dog became her prime motivator to return to her home after several weeks of hospitalization. Near the end, the two old friends were reunited.
Betty was born the youngest of the six children of Lon and Pearl Cox, née Comer, and throughout her lifetime spoke fondly of her childhood on Herschel Street, near Riverside Park in Indianapolis. And while her memory faded somewhat in later life, on driving trips through the old neighborhood she was always able to identify names and the homes of all her childhood friends. Betty attended Shortridge High School, was a lifelong crossword puzzle enthusiast, and enjoyed music and relating stories about her children and grandkids.
After raising her own children, Betty became a frequent babysitter to several of her grandchildren as well as other kids in the Geist Road/111th Street neighborhood, where she lived from 1965 until her death. She was also a trusted homemaking advisor to many in the neighborhood. Betty was an avid cook and baker and her apple pie was truly the stuff of legend. Until very late in life, Thanksgiving transport from her home required multiple trips or vehicles, one for her and another for the pies.
Betty was not a demonstrative person but her children and others never questioned her love for her family and friends. With the loss of a child in infancy and her eldest son’s debilitating illness in the 50s, Betty learned that with life’s bigger challenges, you can’t sweat the small stuff. Whether transporting her wheelchair-bound son across town in order to avoid a segregated handicapped/disabled classroom in the 50s (she was a pioneer for “mainstreaming” in education), hauling lumber to build a new home in the 60s, or transporting kids and grandkids in the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond, Betty was always there when needed.
While Betty will be sorely missed by family and friends. We celebrate her long life, well lived, and a peaceful passing.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road, Fishers, with Pastor Michael McDonough officiating. Visitation will start at 11 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Fishers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society for Hamilton County, 1721 Pleasant St., Suite B, Noblesville, IN 46060.
Arrangements
Calling: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 12
Service: 1 p.m. Nov. 12
Location: Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary
Condolences: randallroberts.com