Obituary of Merle Phyllis OGDEN

January 1, 1928 – Trochu, Alberta December 24, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta Merle Ogden of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, December 24, 2018 at the age of 90 years. Merle was a doting wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She adored her two daughters, Nancy Conyers (Peter) and Susan Jessen; grandchildren, Kerri Megens (Christian), Erik Christensen, Stefanie Frost Jessen (Stephen), Christian Jessen; and great-granddaughter Khloe Megens. Merle Phyllis Ogden was born on Sunday, January 1, 1928, the middle of five daughters, born to Ross and Gudren Ells in Trochu, AB. When Merle was two years old she moved with her parents and two older sisters Marian and Vivian to their homestead in Bergen, AB. She then had two more sisters, Dolores and Francis. Merle was educated in a one-room school house in Bergen and then went on to high school in Sundre and Didsbury. She attended Hendersons School of Business in Calgary and after graduation spent most of her working life at Searle Grain. Merle met Wilfred Ogden in 1949 and three years later they were married and remained happily so for sixty-four years. They were blessed with two daughters, Nancy and Susan, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, whom she adored and were her pride and joy. She loved her family and friends, her home in Calgary, her Province of Alberta, and Canada. Merle was an active member and Past President of the Gyrette Club of Calgary. She was a devoted homemaker and when Wilf retired they spent many wonderful years travelling in their motorhome and around the world. She and Wilf moved to Lake Bonavista Village in September 2010 and spent five very happy and productive years there enjoying the marvelous care. She marvelled at sunrises, sunsets, the moon, mountains, seasons, flowers, and nature in general. Thoughts of Merle: “Write it down when I have perished, Here is everything that I have cherished. That these walls should glow with beauty Spurred my lagging soul to duty; That there should be gladness here Kept me toiling year by year, Every thought and every act were to keep this home intact.” Edgar A. Guest Request of Merle’s: “If Bette Midler is available I would love her to sing “The Rose”. May our memories sustain us in our time of sorrow and in our times of joy and celebration. Merle was much loved by her family and will be greatly missed. A private family gathering has been held. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Thank you to the wonderful kind and caring staff at Agecare Seton. In living memory of Merle Ogden, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.