WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Alberta Bogen, 83, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, July 17, 2011, at her home.
She was born Dec. 27, 1927, in Sturgis, a daughter of the late John and Cora (Sargent) Ritter.
Alberta was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1946.
On Jan. 26, 1952, she married Donald Bogen in Angola, Ind.
Following 11 years of dedicated employment, she retired from the St. Joseph County Community Mental Health in 1993. Prior to joining Community Mental Health, she had worked as a rural delivery person for the Sturgis Journal and also been employed by Wade Electric and Sturgis Hospital. Following her retirement, she and Donald sold farm-fresh brown eggs at their farm until 2010, and she enjoyed visiting with all of their egg customers.
She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Donald; her children, Cheryl (Chuck) Arver, Rick (Doris) Bogen, Ron (Mary) Bogen and Cathy Bogen; grandchildren Christopher (Christina) Arver, Craig (Stephanie) Arver, Michelle (Andy) Rohrer, Angela (Ben) West, Sara Bogen, Royce (Renee) Bogen, Reise (Jenny) Bogen, Rodney (Brittni) Bogen and Reid (Sara) Bogen; stepgrandchildren Kimberly (Aaron) Barrett and Nicole Scott; great-grandchildren Eddie Arver, Corbin Arver, Kaid Arver, Kenna Rohrer, Cole Rohrer, Emily West, Mason Bogen, Ann Bogen, Rose Bogen, Riley Bogen, Lexi Bogen and two great granddaughters expected in the fall; step-great-grandchildren Jitrin Hutasingh, Jessica Hutasingh, Ashley Bowser and Tristan Heykoop; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Doris Ritter Selzer; half-sisters Hazel Ritter Davis and Edith Ritter Capman Teadt; and a half-brother, John Ritter.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today at Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Alberta Bogen will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pastor James Carpenter will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Bogen’s memory consider the American Heart Association 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.
