S. Duane Ogden

S. Duane Ogden, of West Branch, MI, formerly of Royal Oak, MI, passed away December 30, 2022, in West Branch. Duane was born on May 22, 1932, in Olathe, KS, the eldest son of Rev. Seymour Duane Ogden and Margaret Cecilia (Stillman) Ogden. Duane met his future wife, Grace Morgan, at a roller rink in her hometown of Smith Center, KS. They wed on December 30, 1951, at a ceremony officiated by his father in Osborne, KS.

Duane’s greatest passion was cars. He owned three cars before he had a license to drive. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Denver and in 1956, he followed that passion across the country to work for Chrysler and earn a master’s degree from the Chrysler Institute of Engineering. From 1958 -1961, Duane served in the U.S. Air Force in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He was very active in church but spent most of his free time in his 4-car garage working on cars and renovating the family home. His children grew up seeing how things worked and learning how to DIY.

Duane is survived by his wife of 71 years, Grace; Children, Dennis (Danean) Ogden, David (Susan M.) Ogden, John (Susan R.) Ogden, and Carol (Craig) Bailey; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sister Jane (Vince) Mangone; sister-in-law Marilyn Ogden; and brother-in-law Keith Randall. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Charles Ogden and sister Judith Randall.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 11th from 1 - 4 pm at Emmanuel Bethel Church, 4000 Normandy Road, Royal Oak, MI. A future gathering will also occur in the Denver, CO area.

Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch. www.steuernolmclaren.com