Bartley Ogden

Bartley Glen Ogden, age 99, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2003, at the Odebolt Nursing & Rehab Center. Bart was born May 4, 1904, to Ray and May (Wagner) Ogden in Plymouth County, Iowa, near Akron.

Bart attended a rural school in Plymouth County and graduated from Akron High School in May, 1924. He received his two year certificate from Iowa State Teachers College (U.N.I.) in 1929, and his B.A. in 1933. Bart earned his Masters Degree in 1940 at the University of Iowa, and completed additional graduate work at I.S.U. He taught rural school in Plymouth County, Craig, and Chatsworth, Iowa, and was school superintendent at Alvord, Fairview, Schaller, and Odebolt.

On June 5, 1929, Bart married Bernice Cornish of Hawarden. They were married at the Little Brown Church near Cedar Falls, Iowa. To this union was born five children: Beverly, Janet, Vern, Judy, and Kent.

In 1944 they moved to Odebolt, where Bart was school superintendent until 1969 when he retired. He then became Sac County Superintendent from 1969 until 1973. During his years as superintendent in Odebolt, the school was reorganized to become Odebolt-Arthur School, and a new school was built. The Bart Ogden Gymnasium was dedicated to him in appreciation for his contribution to the school.

Bart served on the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Association Board in the 50’s, and in 1961 was one of ten persons in the United Stated to receive the I.S.T.C. award for his outstanding work as a pioneer in the field of school reorganization. He also was awarded a special citation for his contribution to the Maple Valley Conference, and an award for helping start the Ft. Dodge Community College. For several years, Bart was a counselor for Iowa Boys State.

He was very active in the community and in the First Presbyterian Church, where he was a member. He had been a member of the Odebolt Rotary Club since 1944, when he brought the Charter to Odebolt. He also served on the Library Board, the Low-Rent Housing Board, and was instrumental in organizing and building the identification board at the Odebolt Cemetery.

On August 14, 1990, Bart married Manie Ahrenholtz. He loved his family, Manie’s family, and the world of education. He also enjoyed walking, traveling and woodworking. Bart built their own home during his retirement. He wintered in Mesa, AZ, for 25 years. He loved people and will be remembered for how he lived-a caring persons life.

Bart leaves to mourn, his wife Manie of Odebolt; daughter, Janet and Ken Fertig of Sheldon; son, Vern and Gayle Ogden of Granbury, TX; son, Kent Ogden of Las Vegas, NV; son-in-law, Charles Mandernach of Dallas, TX; step-son, Donald Ahrenholtz and Becki Jarvela of Lacy, WA; brother, Gene and Roberta Ogden of Springfield, VA; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; nine step-great grandchildren; and one step great-great-grandchild.

Bart was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and mother of his children, Bernice on November 5, 1987; two daughters: Beverly Ogden and Judy Mandernach; and two sisters: Gladys Eilers and Oma Gassmann.

Funeral service for Bart will be Monday, December 29, 2003, at 10:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Odebolt, with Rev. Charles Bulger officiating. Special music with Barb Votrobeck, soloist, Congregation Singing, and Carol Raasch, organist. Honorary pallbearers include: John Ekstrom, Donald Bettin, Charles Foy, Dr. John Hubiak, and Clarence Etler. Pallbearers will be: Keith Siebrecht, Gary Siebrecht, Curtis Raasch, Roger Thayer, Duane Simonson, and Richard Profit. Burial will be at the Odebolt Cemetery.

Visitation is 4:00-8:00 pm at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Odebolt on Sunday, December 28th.