Elmwood Cemetery

Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Merlene Joy Ogden

September 23, 1033 ~ January 6, 2025

Merlene Ogden, 91 year old former Woodward resident, passed away Monday, January 6, 2025 in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at the First Baptist Church with Reverend Steve Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

Merlene Joy (Magee) Ogden was born on September 23, 1933 on the family farm in Cestos, Oklahoma to George Joseph and Rosa Leota (Redinger) Magee. In her early years she attended Richmond schools and she later attended Seiling schools, graduating from Seiling High School in 1951. Merlene was united in marriage to Jack Ogden on February 27, 1954 in Canadian, Texas. To this union, four children were born, Larry Don, Randel Lee, Kimberly Kay and Kevin Joe. They made their home in Woodward until Merlene moved to Oklahoma City in 2022 to be closer to her kids. In the early 1970's, Merlene opened Merlenes Wig Shop. She later purchased Around the Corner in the mid 1970's, which later became The Gazebo. Merlene operated The Gazebo until her unofficial retirement in the early 2000's. She still worked as the Bookkeeper and bow maker for the shop.

She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church. Merlene was very faithful to her church and loved her Sunday School classmates. She enjoyed watching Thunder basketball, playing cards, going on trips with her sisters, but most of all she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Merlene always enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in any of their sporting activities.

She is survived by her sons: Randy Ogden and wife Jo of Oklahoma City, Kevin Ogden and wife Louise of Woodward; one daughter, Kim West of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Verlene "Sue" Trim of Thayer, Kansas, Jan Spatz and husband Ron of Yukon; five grandchildren: Mandee Flying Out and husband Ty, Randa Ogden, Ryan Ogden and wife Lacey, Lindsay Cotton and husband Carlos, Chelsea Goldsmith; 11 great-grandchildren: Paisley, Preston, Pierce Ogden, Brooklyn, Skyler, Mylah Flying Out, Sofia, Huck, and Collins Goldsmith, Jackson and Carter Cotton; two great-great-grandchildren: Emberlynn and Gunner; lifetime friends: Lynda and Jim Peck, Tami Deever; other relatives and many friends.

Merlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack Ogden, one son Larry Ogden, brothers: Jay Dean "Jake" Magee, Alvin Magee and a sister Norma "Lee" Hinshaw.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund with the funeral home accepting the contributions.

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